Marrakech’s judicial police arrested on Monday morning an 18-year-old affiliated to the terrorist organization “ISIS” active in the village of Ourika in the Haouz province, for his suspected involvement in terrorist plans targeting sensitive sites in Morocco.
The arrest came after the General Directorate of National Police (DGSN) provided Marrakech authorities with accurate data, the General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance (DGST) judicial investigation police said in a press release.
During this operation, police seized electronic tools, as well as a plastic bottle containing a suspicious liquid and another quantity of chemical powder, which will be subjected to investigation by the authorities, according to the same source.
The suspect, who pledged allegiance to the alleged emir of this terrorist organization, acquired expertise in preparing explosive devices, in anticipation of carrying out an attack.
The suspect also established ties with ISIS field operatives with the aim of recommending him to join one of the group’s branches in the sub-Saharan Sahel region after carrying out his terrorist activities.
The arrest was the result of close coordination between the DGSN and its counterparts in foreign intelligence services.
The defendant is now in custody pending further judicial investigations by BCIJ agents under the supervision of the Public Prosecutor’s Office in charge of terrorism and extremism for purposes of uncovering the network’s alleged extremist activities.