Moroccan Salafist Leader Arrested for Opposing Mosque Closures Amid Coronavirus

The National Brigade of the Judicial Police (BNPJ) opened an investigation, under the supervision of the competent public prosecutor’s office at the Court of Appeal of Rabat, in charge of terrorism cases, against him, according to the General Directorate of National Security (DGSN), in a statement.

The Salafist, Abou Naim, is accused of having published a video on Facebook to criticize the decision to close mosques, starting from Monday, March 16, 2020, due to the spread of the coronavirus.

The statements of the Salafist, considered as "inciting hatred and threatening towards citizens", constitute threats "to commit dangerous acts that undermine public order" and an "excommunication of the State and its institutions".

The person concerned was placed in pre-trial detention as part of this investigation, conducted by the national office for the fight against terrorism and organized crime, under the BNPJ.