Rabat — Moroccan authorities arrested on Sunday morning an 18-year-old man suspected of planning terrorist attacks in Settat province.
The Central Bureau of Judicial Investigation (BCIJ) detained the suspect in Douar El Amarna based on intelligence from the General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance (DGST).
Officials say the young man followed the extremist ideology of ISIS.
The operation is part of Morocco’s security efforts to counter terrorist threats to the country’s security and citizen safety, the BCIJ said in a statement.
Initial investigation findings show the suspect expressed interest in making explosives. Officials suspect he was preparing terrorist attacks that could have caused serious damage to public safety and security.
The suspect maintained contact with one of ISIS’ North African leaders operating in the field, according to the same source.
The leader encouraged the suspect to execute the terrorist plot in Morocco and provided him with references and instructions on how to make the bombs.
The preliminary investigation also found that the suspect promoted terrorist content on social media platforms, circulating content showing operations carried out by ISIS members and encouraging similar projects.
The suspect is placed in custody for further investigation, with the terrorism prosecutor supervising the ongoing inquiry to identify all terrorist activity linked to him and determine his possible connections inside and outside Morocco.
The BCIJ’s statement concluded that the arrest signals the growing terrorist threats looming over the North African country.
On July 2, the BCIJ dismantled a four-member ISIS cell operating between Tetouan and Chefchaouen, who pledged allegiance to the emir of ISIS.
