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Rabat – Morocco’s Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ) on Tuesday and Wednesday arrested five individuals for their alleged involvement in the extremist group ISIS.
A statement from the BCIJ said the arrests took place in different locations across the country, including in Kenitra, Sidi Yahya Zaer, Inzegane, Chichaoua, and Casablanca.
Preliminary data shows that the arrested suspects are between the ages of 20 and 45, and had pledged allegiance to ISIS and planned to carry out acts of terrorism, using explosive materials to target security institutions and personnel.
Some of the suspects were also reportedly training to manufacture explosive devices.
In Kenitra, security services seized a hunting rifle and ammunition during the arrest of one of the suspects. Searches in the other individuals’ homes resulted in the seizure of bladed weapons and digital materials, all of which will be subject to technical investigation.
BCIJ placed the suspects in custody for investigation, seeking to determine the ties and cooperation between the defendants and other extremist organizations abroad.
The operation is part of Morocco’s approach to strengthening regional security against extremist groups and their affiliates.
Moroccan security units have repeatedly collaborated to halt extremist projects. Since 2002, the North African country dismantled more than 2,009 terror cells and arrested over 3,353 people for their alleged involvement in terrorism.
Many organizations have emphasized Morocco’s pivotal work against extremism. Earlier this week, Javier Colomina Piriz, the deputy Assistant Secretary General of the North Atlantic Organization (NATO) for Political Affairs and Security Policy, emphasized Morocco’s “enormous responsibility” to tackle terrorism.
