The Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations, part of the General Directorate of National Territorial Surveillance, has dismantled a terrorist cell consisting of four extremists operating between Tetouan and Chefchaouen, aged between 20 and 27. This operation took place in the early hours of Wednesday, July 2.
According to a statement from the bureau, this cell is affiliated with the so-called Islamic State organization. Searches conducted at the homes of the suspects in Tetouan and Chefchaouen resulted in the seizure of a manuscript containing an oath of allegiance to the purported emir of the ISIS terrorist organization.
Authorities also confiscated a recording documenting this pledge, along with a flag symbolizing the group and a black outfit consisting of pants and a jacket bearing extremist writings. Additionally, replicas of weapons were found, including a rifle with a scope, two pistols, and various electronic devices that will undergo necessary digital forensic analysis.
Field searches related to the “Tetouan and Chefchaouen cell” revealed the seriousness of the terrorist projects planned by its members, which align with ISIS’s disruptive agenda aimed at destabilizing Morocco. The suspects had begun preparations for the physical execution of their terrorist project, conducting field tests in a mountainous area near Tetouan to manufacture explosive devices.
Investigations indicated that the suspects recorded their allegiance to the current so-called emir of ISIS through a manuscript and a video. This was intended to gain the organization’s endorsement for their terrorist plans.
The four detainees are currently under custody as part of this case, while further investigations are being conducted under the supervision of the public prosecutor responsible for terrorism cases, to uncover all potential terrorist projects and connections related to this cell.
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