Moroccan Jet Ski Pilot’s Body Held in Barcelona: Family’s Repatriation Request Denied

The funeral health police of Catalonia, in an email sent to the lawyer of the deceased’s mother, refused to return the young Moroccan’s body to his family. For nine months, his remains have been resting at the Institute of Forensic Medicine in the Catalan capital, reports Le Parisien. "The regulations in force do not allow the transfer of a body in these circumstances. Decree 297/1997 and Decree 2263/19 724 set the deadline for embalming or moving a body and limit it to 48 hours after death," it is written in the document.

"In the event of refrigeration, the deadline is extended to 96 hours. The regional sub-directorate of Barcelona will not authorize this transfer, as it poses a risk to public health. Ayoub Ziane died eleven months ago, this body is rotting, and this circumstance recommends that it be buried or cremated as soon as possible," it is explained.

Informal exchanges between the parties reveal that the body could be buried in a common grave before being exhumed within two years and sent to Morocco. "This decision is extremely violent," fumes Sylvain Cormier, the lawyer for Fatna Ziane, Ayoub’s mother. "It does not correspond to any health logic and to any request from the family. Ayoub is French, born in Lunel (Hérault), and must be buried in France."

Faced with this situation, the lawyer has filed a request with the judge, who in the meantime has authorized this transfer, in agreement with the family. He also alerted the investigating judge in charge of the case on the Nîmes (Gard) side and the French consulate in Barcelona.

Ayoub, 24, had set out to sea from the port of Grau-du-Roi (Gard). He will not give any sign of life. The jet ski pilot was reported missing since December 28. His lifeless body will be found off the coast of Barcelona