Jihadists Arrested Following Officer's Murder In Morocco

Three jihadists linked to the murder of a police officer killed by stabbing him to death on March 2, 2023, have been apprehended by security operatives in Casablanca, Morocco. 

According to a statement from the Directorate General of National Security (DGSN) on Thursday, the two main suspects were arrested following "security operations” in Casablanca and the region of Sidi Hrazem, near fez (north). A third man was arrested in a subsequent operation in Casablanca.

The first elements of the investigation revealed that they had recently pledged allegiance to the EI and "were determined to engage in a terrorist project" by killing a police officer, according to the statement.

Initially, local media suggested a common crime involving drug traffickers.

On March 2, the charred and mutilated body of a police officer – a traffic officer killed with a knife – was discovered in a rural area of the Casablanca region.

The three suspects planned to steal his service weapon and use it to rob a bank branch, according to the DGSN.

They were apprehended, and the investigation was turned over to the Central Bureau of Judicial Investigation (BCIJ), which is in charge of combating terrorism.

While the kingdom has been spared recent jihadist-related violence, security services regularly report anti-Is raids and foiled attack plans.