The General Directorate of National Security (DGSN) in Morocco has formally denied allegations circulating on
some Senegalese websites and social media claiming that a citizen of Senegal was fatally stabbed following the
Africa Cup of Nations final.
In a statement released Monday evening, the DGSN indicates that, following the dissemination of this information, the National Security services had conducted thorough investigations.
The statement adds that the probes established that no murder, nor any case of assault resulting in the death of a Senegalese citizen, using the alleged method, had been witnessed on Moroccan soil.
It specifies that the only confirmed incident at this stage concerns the discovery in Sale of the lifeless body of an unidentified person from sub-Saharan Africa.
The statement explains that the body emitted a strong odour of alcohol and showed no apparent signs of violence or resistance, with the exception of slight bite marks.
According to observations made at the scene, these marks are attributed to the presence of stray dogs in the area where the body was discovered, it adds.
The DGSN further states that the territorially competent security services immediately opened a judicial investigation under the supervision of the competent public prosecutor’s office, with the aim of identifying the victim.
Fingerprints collected have, at this stage, not matched any data in the National Laboratory of Forensic Science and Technology’s databases.
Coordination is underway with the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), as well as with Senegalese security services, to carry out the necessary checks to identify the deceased.
As part of the ongoing investigation, security services have also investigated the identity of the person appearing in documents circulated by some Senegalese social media platforms, and presented as the alleged victim due to physical similarities with the body discovered, the statement adds.
It has been determined, the DGSN say, that this person is a Senegalese national holding a residency permit in Morocco.
However, on-site checks established that he did not reside at the declared address, leading to further investigations, supported by technical expertise, to precisely determine the identity of the deceased.
While reaffirming the absence of any crime of intentional murder or assault resulting in death, contrary to reports in some publications, the DGSN (National Security Directorate) emphasises that the only established fact at this stage is the discovery of a body without identification documents, showing no signs of violence or stab wounds.
The case is currently the subject of ongoing judicial investigations aimed at formally identifying the victim and determining the exact circumstances of his death.
The body has been placed for autopsy to establish the actual cause of death, the DGSN statement concludes.
AK/Sf/fss/as/APA