Morocco’s King Pardons Salafist Terrorist Linked to Bin Laden After 19 Years in Prison
Mohamed Chatbi, a Salafist detainee convicted in 2003 of terrorism and sentenced to 20 years in prison, received an exceptional royal pardon on Sunday. His prison sentence had been increased to 30 years following an escape attempt in 2008.
According to information relayed by the Al Oumk website, Mohamed Chatbi, who had been arrested along with his brother Kamal, would have been released for health reasons. He was pardoned on Sunday after spending 19 years in the Oukacha prison in Casablanca.
In 2000, the Salafist Mohamed Chatbi had left Spain for Afghanistan, where he had fought alongside jihadists. In 2001, he had met the former Al Qaeda leader, Osama Bin Laden.
The jihadist was one of the nine terrorists involved in the Casablanca attacks who had managed to escape from the Kenitra prison in 2008. They were arrested a few weeks after their escape.
Related Articles
-
Moroccan Authorities Probe Wealthy Nationals for Undeclared Luxury Purchases Abroad
17 April 2025
-
Morocco Launches Nationwide Crackdown on Criminal Gangs in Major Cities
17 April 2025
-
India Expands Arms Export Strategy, Targets Morocco and Other Nations
17 April 2025
-
New Schengen Visa Scam: Import-Export Firms Used to Bypass EU Immigration Rules
17 April 2025
-
UN Report: Polisario Lacks Military Capability to Challenge Morocco in Western Sahara
17 April 2025