The illegal demolition of a villa classified as a historic monument in Casablanca's HΓ΄pitaux district has sparked a major scandal. According to verified reports from Moroccan media, including Le Desk and TelQuel, the villa was owned by the real estate company SOHABI. The company's president is also the president of the Mers Sultan district, a local administrative division within Casablanca.
Authorities from the Ministry of Culture confirmed the villa was on the national inventory of historic monuments and its destruction was illegal. The Regional Directorate of Culture filed a complaint with the public prosecutor's office following the demolition in late 2025. The case has drawn significant public attention and condemnation from heritage preservation groups.
As of March 2026, the judicial investigation is ongoing. The public prosecutor's office in Casablanca is handling the case, which involves allegations of violating laws protecting cultural heritage. The incident has raised serious questions about the enforcement of preservation laws and potential conflicts of interest.
