Major Arrest in Tangier Linked to ISIS
On October 10, 2023, Moroccan police announced the arrest of a 22-year-old male in Tangier, northern Morocco, who is suspected of having connections with the jihadist group known as the Islamic State (ISIS). This operation was carried out by the Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ), Morocco's counter-terrorism unit, based on intelligence provided by the General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance (DGST), the internal security agency. This significant development highlights ongoing concerns regarding potential terrorist activities within the region.
The arrest took place on Friday, during which law enforcement officials conducted searches that led to the seizure of various materials. Authorities discovered handwritten notes related to methods of cyber intrusion, along with electronic equipment, including a modified phone connected to wires. Additionally, investigators found an assortment of items such as batteries, nails, electrical switches, tools, and welding cables. These findings underscore the suspect's potential intentions and preparations for further criminal activities.
Moreover, the police confiscated both solid and liquid chemicals, which are suspected to be components for the manufacture of explosives. These substances will undergo technical and scientific analyses to ascertain their composition and intended use. Preliminary investigations suggest that the suspect had begun planning terrorist projects and conducted initial tests to create explosive devices. However, the specific targets of his purported plans have not been disclosed at this time.
The detained individual has been transported to the BCIJ headquarters near Rabat, where he remains in police custody while the investigation continues. The inquiry, led by the relevant terrorism prosecution authority, aims to clarify the projects in which the suspect is allegedly involved and to determine his potential connections, both domestically and internationally. This incident marks yet another example of Morocco's proactive measures in combating terrorism and ensuring national security.
As reported by swissinfo.ch.
