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Rabat – A senior Spanish police official has commended Morocco’s police efforts during investigations into the August 17, 2017, terrorist attacks in Barcelona.
According to a Spanish news website, the senior official told Spain’s Congress on Tuesday that the investigation carried out in Morocco by Moroccan police was “impeccable, correct, and comparable” to any investigation carried out in Spain or other European countries.
He also commended the counterterrorism cooperation with Moroccan authorities, describing it as “undeniably good.”
The senior official, who was not named in the report, said he traveled to Morocco with an inspector in 2017 to collect DNA samples from the family of a so-called imam, the alleged mastermind of the attacks, to identify him after he died in the explosion.
Some individuals of Moroccan origin were involved in the incident, which killed at least 13 individuals and wounded 150.
The office said Moroccan police acted with “professionalism and integrity,” stressing police encountered “no limitation or impediment.”
He also commended Moroccan officers for showing maximum interest in the investigation, describing cooperation with Morocco as decisively positive.
Over the years, Morocco’s counterterrorism unit has contributed to dismantling several terror cells in Spain by providing key intelligence to their counterpart in Madrid.
Last year, Spanish General Commissioner for Information Javier Antonio Susin Bercero said that Morocco’s intelligence services have saved Spain from many terrorist attacks over the past few years.
In 2024, Spain commended Morocco’s DGST for its instrumental role in dismantling an ISIS-linked terror cell in November of the same year.
In an X post today, the Spanish National Police lauded the joint operation, calling it a model of international cooperation.
“The collaboration of Morocco’s General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance (DGST) was decisive in dismantling this cell,” the post read.
