Rabat – Morocco’s Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ) arrested five ISIS suspects in separate simultaneous security operations in several cities and towns on Wednesday, March 16.
BCIJ arrested the suspects through security operations held in Kenitra, near Rabat, Larache, in northern Morocco, Souk Sebt Ouled Nemma (Beni Mellal-Khenifra region), Taroudant, and the rural commune of Souihla in the Marrakech prefecture.
A statement from the BCIJ said the arrest of the suspects, aged between 21 and 44 years old, was in collaboration with the General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance (DGST).
The suspects are accused of plotting terror actions to undermine Morocco’s security and stability.
BCIJ said that search operations in the suspects’ homes enabled security services to seize electronic materials, which will be subject to examination under technical expertise.
BCIJ forces also found manuscripts glorifying ISIS. Some of the manuscripts also included information on manufacturing explosives.
BCIJ seized bladed weapons of different sizes.
Preliminary investigation shows that the five ISIS suspects are involved in inciting people to join the terror group. The suspects were preparing to execute multiple terrorist projects.
“They also praised the physical liquidation and mutilation of bodies as adopted by the Daech terrorist organization,” BCIJ said.
The suspects were targeting sensitive places, including security and military sites, as well as government headquarters.
The suspects were also planning to murder public forces and members of government departments.
BCIJ placed the suspects in custody for further investigation to identify all terrorist projects prepared and planned by each of them. The investigation also aims to determine the possible ramifications between the arrested suspects and other terrorist cells active in Morocco and abroad.
Several reports commend Morocco’s counterterrorism approach, describing the country as among those least affected by terrorism.
Security services, however, are aware of the risk of terrorism, emphasizing that the country is not immune to terrorist-related challenges.
