Morocco’s Anti-Terror Expertise Aids Greek Authorities in Key Arrest

"The excellent collaboration between the Moroccan security services (DGED and DGST) and the Greeks once again demonstrates that the kingdom is widely recognized by European countries for its high level of expertise in intelligence and the fight against extremism and terrorism," writes Professor Jean-Marie Heydt in a testimony, before recalling the facts. Thanks to an exemplary "collaboration of intelligence exchange carried out within the framework of multilateral security cooperation [...], the Moroccan security services and their counterparts in Greece, Italy, England and the United States of America, it was possible to proceed, on Greek territory, to the arrest of the Moroccan national Mohamed Boudarga," recalls the academic.

Nicknamed Abou Mohamed al Fateh, the arrested terrorist was one of the operational leaders of the terrorist group Daesh, based in the Syrian zone, and was the subject of several international arrest warrants, including from the Moroccan judicial authorities, for his involvement in major terrorist, even subversive, projects in Morocco, it is specified. "The suspect is said to have escaped the war zones in Syria to reach Greece, using false documents and a false identity, before being identified, then located and finally arrested as part of this joint operation. The Moroccan judicial authorities, through the Interpol office in Rabat, have officially requested the extradition of the defendant."

"While some are only concerned with putting international tensions in the spotlight, the success of this security operation, made possible by the efficiency of the Moroccan security services, shows how international cooperation is essential in the fight against terrorism," notes the professor, observing that "Morocco demonstrates how it represents the indispensable Mediterranean and African partner that ensures the preservation of security and stability at the regional and international levels."