Rabat — Police in Tangier detained a 42-year-old man on Saturday on suspicion of spreading false information about fictional kidnappings, which caused public concern.
The national security’s digital surveillance unit identified social media recordings in which an individual claimed to document alleged kidnapping attempts of young women in Tangier by masked individuals traveling in a small vehicle.
Investigations led to the identification and arrest of the suspect.
The suspect has been placed in custody as part of a judicial investigation supervised by the competent prosecutor’s office. Investigations aim to uncover the reasons, context, and potential implications behind the intentional spread of this false information.
Moroccan authorities have intensified efforts to combat illegal and inappropriate use of social media platforms nationwide.
Last month, police arrested two individuals in Tetouan for allegedly spreading false information online and promoting irregular migration near the Spanish border.
In February, authorities detained three suspects accused of documenting and posting videos of dangerous activities that threatened public safety. These arrests came after the National Security’s cyber-surveillance unit identified concerning content circulating on social media platforms that posed risks to public order and civilian safety.
The growing prevalence of social media use has raised important questions about online challenges, particularly those involving stunts that endanger public safety. Law enforcement agencies throughout Morocco continue to actively monitor and take action against such dangerous behavior.
Morocco’s Minister of Justice pledged last year to implement stringent penalties within the country’s penal code, specifically targeting social media content misconduct.
