7 days ago
Casablanca historic building demolition sparks legal battle by El Manouzi family
On Monday morning, public authorities in Casablanca began demolishing several buildings in the city's historic center, including an apartment building structure belonging to the family of activist Haj Ali El Manouzi. The building, located in the Sidi Belyout district, is considered by the family to be of significant symbolic and historical value.
The demolition operation started in the L'Bhira neighborhood, targeting a building adjacent to the El Manouzi residence. In response, the family has strongly opposed the move, arguing that their property is part of the city's heritage and should be preserved.
Prior to the demolition, the family had sent an open letter to several key officials, including the Minister of the Interior, the Public Prosecutor at the Casablanca Court of Appeal, the Governor of the Casablanca-Settat region, and members of the city council. In the letter, reviewed by Yabiladi, the family's lawyer expressed formal opposition to the demolition and emphasized that an annulment appeal had been filed with the President of the Administrative Court. Under Moroccan law, such an appeal suspends any evacuation or demolition orders until a final ruling is issued, particularly in cases involving buildings at risk of collapse.
The family supported their legal action with a judicial expert report, conducted in the presence of a representative from the municipal council. Notably, other relevant authorities, including from the prefecture, were absent despite having been notified. The expert concluded that the building is structurally sound and does not qualify as a building at risk of collapse.
Calls for due process and respect for judicial rulings
The family called for respect for legal procedures and the findings of the judicial report, warning that any harm to the building's residents would constitute criminal acts under Moroccan penal law. They argued that even a preliminary attempt to demolish the property, in defiance of court procedures, would be considered a felony.
Lawyer Mustapha El Manouzi also sent a formal notice to the President of the Casablanca Urban Municipality, reiterating the judicial expert's conclusions and demanding that the demolition be suspended until the Rabat Court of Appeal rules on the pending appeal.
In a statement to Yabiladi, family member Abdelkarim El Manouzi said residents of the building and surrounding area were verbally informed only two days earlier to vacate by Sunday, ahead of the demolition set for Monday morning. According to him, no official or written notice was served to the property owners.
He added that the family was caught off guard at around 7 a.m. by the arrival of bulldozers, accompanied by security forces. Authorities began demolishing adjacent structures and removed the door to the El Manouzi building, without showing any official documentation. When asked for the demolition order, the governor reportedly told the family to obtain it from the district office, but did not provide it directly.
Abdelkarim El Manouzi described the demolition as «arbitrary and illegal», calling for a «just and fair resolution». He stressed that while the family does not oppose public interest projects, they reject any action taken outside the legal framework. He reminded officials that the judiciary has not yet ruled on the case, and carrying out demolition under these conditions «has no legal basis». He confirmed that the family intends to file a new complaint against the decision.
