Morocco Arrests 4 ISIS-Linked Suspects Planning Terrorist Attacks

The elements of the BCIJ arrested, in the early hours of this Tuesday, June 22 in Sidi Zouine, four alleged members of a terrorist cell aged 22 to 28, indicates the Directorate General of Territorial Surveillance (DGST) in a press release. The defendants are said to have pledged allegiance to the terrorist organization Daesh. According to the first elements of the investigation, they were at an advanced stage in the preparation of terrorist acts against several targets in Morocco.

The alleged "emir" of this cell intended to join the ranks of Daesh after being indoctrinated by one of the leaders of this organization, based abroad, the DGST continues. A welder by profession, he manufactured bladed weapons as well as explosive devices. He had moved to the execution stage, after having recruited and trained people around him, manufactured explosives and listed targets including individuals who were to be eliminated with bladed weapons. In his sights, premises of the security services. This terrorist cell had come into contact with teenagers from Sidi Zouine in order to initiate them to the destructive ideology of the terrorist movement.

During the intervention, the elements of the BCIJ proceeded to seize several objects including bladed weapons and chemical products used to manufacture explosives. The defendants were taken into custody and made available to the judicial investigation led by the BCIJ under the supervision of the anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office.