An 18-year-old man suspected of planning terrorist attacks was arrested in Settat province, central
Morocco on Sunday, security officials announced.
According to the Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ), the arrest of a young man suspected of sympathising with the Islamic State was carried out early in the morning of August 10 in Douar El Amarna,
based on information provided by the General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance (DGST).
The suspect is accused of adhering to the ideology of the Islamic State and showing an interest in
manufacturing explosives and explosive belts.
Preliminary investigations indicate that he may have been in contact with a Maghreb leader of the organisation, who allegedly encouraged him to plan an attack on Moroccan soil and provided him with written manuals for the manufacturing of explosive devices.
Investigators also claim that the young man had advocated, on several online platforms, attacks carried out by members of the Islamic State and content inciting violence.
The suspect was taken into custody at the BCIJ, under the supervision of the prosecutor’s office specialising in terrorism cases. The investigations aim to identify all of his alleged plans and establish possible links with other cells inside or outside Morocco.
This arrest is part of the ongoing security operations conducted by the Moroccan authorities to counter terrorist threats and protect public safety.
MK/Sf/ac/fss/as/APA