Trial of Defendants in Fez’s Al Massira Building Collapse Postponed

The Criminal Chamber in charge of financial crimes at the Fez Court of Appeal decided on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, to postpone the trial regarding the collapse of two residential buildings in the Al Massira district (Bensouda) until October 20, in order to complete the necessary legal procedures.

According to available information, this judicial decision was made to re-summon the Judicial Agent of the Kingdom, notify defendants who failed to attend the session, and provide the defense team with sufficient time to prepare their files, given the widespread public interest in the case due to the severe loss of life and material damage.

There are approximately 19 defendants in this case, with eight in pre-trial detention and 11 being prosecuted while on temporary release. The list of defendants includes various officials, municipal employees, elected representatives, a real estate developer, and a prominent official at the Al Omrane company.

The charges against the individuals involved include bribery, construction without legal permits, and involuntary manslaughter and battery resulting from violations of urban planning laws.

It is noteworthy that this case stems from the tragic incident on December 9, 2025, when two adjacent buildings collapsed suddenly, resulting in the death of 22 people and injuries to 16 others, according to the official figures released by the Public Prosecution at the time.

With the next session set for October 20, attention returns to the Fez Court of Appeal to follow the proceedings of this case, ensuring all defendants receive a fair trial as guaranteed by current laws.