Delay in Legal Proceedings Following Tragic Building Collapse in Fes
In a recent development regarding the tragic collapse of two residential buildings in the "Mustaqbal" district of the Al-Masira neighborhood in Fes, the investigating judge at the first chamber of the Court of Appeal decided on Tuesday to postpone the detailed interrogation of 19 defendants. Among these individuals, eight are currently in preventive detention at the local prison in Bourkaiz, while the remaining eleven are free, including the head of the Zouagha district and his two deputies, along with several officials and professionals connected to the construction and urban planning sectors. This interrogation is now scheduled for June 22, 2026.
The public prosecutor initiated a judicial investigation following the catastrophic incident that resulted in the deaths of 22 people and left 16 others injured last December. Investigations have led to charges against the owners of the collapsed buildings, municipal employees, authority representatives, as well as a contractor and a real estate intermediary.
Official data released by the attorney general indicates that technical assessments and field inspections identified serious violations, including the construction of additional floors without legal authorization, the use of substandard building materials, and the illegal transfer of air rights. Furthermore, investigations uncovered the signing of sales contracts outside the legal framework and the issuance of administrative certificates without adhering to existing procedures, highlighting structural deficiencies in the management of the urban planning sector.
As a result, the public prosecutor has requested the initiation of a preparatory investigation against those involved, suspecting their involvement in criminal actions, including "causing unintentional death and injury, bribery, misappropriation of non-transferable property, and the unlawful issuance of official documents." The public prosecutor's office has emphasized its commitment to closely monitor this case, ensuring the proper application of the law in a situation that has once again brought attention to the issues surrounding illegal construction and the multiple responsibilities that accompany it.
As reported by ar.le360.ma.
