Rabat – Morocco has been elected to a leading position in Interpol’s Global Cybercrime Expert Group, a move that shows the country’s growing influence in international security cooperation.
During a session held on Thursday at Interpol’s headquarters in Lyon, Divisional Commissioner Leïla Zouine was named vice chair of the group.
Zouine, who heads the cybercrime division at Morocco’s General Directorate of National Security (DGSN), will be responsible for a key area known as “empowerment.”
Her work will focus on designing concrete tools and frameworks to support victims of cybercrime while building the capacity of law enforcement agencies to respond to the challenges of digital crime.
The appointment took place during the expert group’s inaugural annual meeting on June 4 and 5, where members elected the leadership team and outlined the group’s strategic direction.
As vice chair, Zouine will play a central role in shaping how international police forces approach the growing threat of cybercrime.
This election is part of Morocco’s broader initiative to update its national security framework and become a dynamic participant in international cooperation.
Over the past few years, the DGSN has introduced specialized cybercrime units, more comprehensive training, and cross-border collaborations to better address the growing sophistication of cyber threats.
The progress is measurable. During 2024, Moroccan police recorded a 95% clearance rate of crime, according to the DGSN annual report.
As the North African country experienced fewer attacks and thefts altogether, cybercrime soared by 40%, with blackmail and sextortion cases becoming more prevalent.
Despite the rise, the majority of incidents were handled effectively, thanks to the “E-Blagh” platform that allows individuals to report cybercrime directly and in real-time.
Morocco’s inclusion in the Global Cybercrime Expert Group leadership lends further significance to it as a reliable partner to global policing.
The election also illustrates how national capacity can evolve into global responsibility, as nations combine resources and skills to address shared security threats.
