Rabat – Morocco’s judicial police have broken up a cell that operated in recruiting and indoctrinating young Moroccans to send them to jihad within terrorist organizations affiliated with Al Qaeda, an interior ministry said.
The statement added that the cell comprises several elements operating in the cities of Fnideq, Tangier, Al Hoceima and Meknes.
Investigations conducted by security services have led to the identification of more than forty Moroccan volunteers sent since April 2012 to participate in Jihad among factions linked to al Qaeda.
It pointed out that those young people had undergone intensive trainings to participate in military operations and suicide bombings.
Among those identified are several elements that served prison sentences under the anti-terrorism law, in addition to two former Guantanamo detainees with great expertise in handling weapons, acquired in Al Qaeda camps in Afghanistan.
According to investigations, three members of the cell, originating in Sebta, were killed in suicide bombings that targeted sensitive sites within one of the spots of tension, the source said.
The accused will be brought to justice after further investigation supervised by the competent public prosecutor.
