Moroccan Café Owner Prosecuted for Uprooting Public Square Trees; Rights Group Questions Councilors' Immunity

In El Jadida, Morocco, a local café owner finds himself in the judicial spotlight, accused of a serious environmental offense: the uprooting of trees from a public square. The wheels of justice have been set in motion, with the King's Attorney at the Court of First Instance deciding to prosecute the individual. He has been released on bail, a sum of 10 million centimes, as he awaits his trial, which is slated to begin on May 12.

This case, however, is not without its complexities and controversies. Representatives from the National Organization for the Protection of Public Funds and Transparency in Morocco have voiced strong objections, questioning the selective nature of the prosecution. They point to official documents that they claim implicate local councilors in the same actions, yet these individuals have not been brought to justice. This raises serious questions about accountability and fairness within the local administration.

According to Hespress sources, this legal pursuit is the result of a renewed investigation. The case had initially been shelved by the public prosecutor's office before being reopened following a complaint lodged by the aforementioned human rights organization. This intervention by civil society groups was crucial in bringing the matter back to the forefront, highlighting the public's anger over the destruction of trees in Al-Hensali Square.

The controversy has reverberated within the El Jadida municipal council itself, prompting inquiries directed at the council president and official correspondence to the provincial authorities demanding an end to the unauthorized destruction of the city's trees. The incident underscores a growing awareness and concern for environmental protection in Morocco, with citizens and rights groups increasingly vigilant against actions that degrade public spaces and natural heritage.

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despite the existence of official documents proving the acts committed against them after they were heard by the judicial police.