Zwarte Schaap
09-08-03, 02:13
Some 1,042 Individuals Sued in Connection with May 16 Terrorist Attacks, Minister
RABAT, Aug.06 - The number of people sued in connection with the terrorist attacks that rocked Casablanca May 16 reached up to last August 04, 1,042 including three foreigners, said here Wednesday justice minister, Mohammed Bouzoubaa.
Out of the number, 634 are directly involved in the attacks, Bouzoubaa said at a press conference on the assessment of the works of the Supreme Magistrates Council during the month of May.
Some 260 others were brought before the investigating judge, 115 before criminal chambers at the courts of appeal, while cases of other individuals involved in the attacks were or are being examined by courts of first instance.
Some 699 of the prosecuted persons belong to the underground organization "Salafya Jihadya", 119 to "Al Hijra Wa takfir", 60 to the group "Daawa wa Tabligh", 120 to "Al Adl Wa Ihassane", 16 to "Sunna wa Jamaâ", 11 to "Al Qaida" network and 17 to "Sirat Al Moustqim," the minister said, adding that some 20 courts across the country are in charge of the cases.
The three foreigners sued in the framework of the May 16 attacks probe are two French and one Briton, besides a Briton of Moroccan origin and a Dane of Moroccan decent.
Six persons who claim to belong to a Shiite movement are also prosecuted.
To a question on the link between the terrorist attacks and international terrorism, Mohammed Bouzoubaa said the blasts were perpetrated by persons "some of whom had undergone training in Afghanistan, while some others are linked to international terrorism."
"Upon their return to Morocco, these individuals have constituted terrorist groups with the support of foreign parties," he explained.
The official affirmed that no foreign pressure is being exerted on Morocco in connection with the case. "There is no internal nor foreign pressure nor influence on the unfolding of the case, he said, adding that the Moroccan law will be applied to the foreigners' trial."
© MAP 2003
RABAT, Aug.06 - The number of people sued in connection with the terrorist attacks that rocked Casablanca May 16 reached up to last August 04, 1,042 including three foreigners, said here Wednesday justice minister, Mohammed Bouzoubaa.
Out of the number, 634 are directly involved in the attacks, Bouzoubaa said at a press conference on the assessment of the works of the Supreme Magistrates Council during the month of May.
Some 260 others were brought before the investigating judge, 115 before criminal chambers at the courts of appeal, while cases of other individuals involved in the attacks were or are being examined by courts of first instance.
Some 699 of the prosecuted persons belong to the underground organization "Salafya Jihadya", 119 to "Al Hijra Wa takfir", 60 to the group "Daawa wa Tabligh", 120 to "Al Adl Wa Ihassane", 16 to "Sunna wa Jamaâ", 11 to "Al Qaida" network and 17 to "Sirat Al Moustqim," the minister said, adding that some 20 courts across the country are in charge of the cases.
The three foreigners sued in the framework of the May 16 attacks probe are two French and one Briton, besides a Briton of Moroccan origin and a Dane of Moroccan decent.
Six persons who claim to belong to a Shiite movement are also prosecuted.
To a question on the link between the terrorist attacks and international terrorism, Mohammed Bouzoubaa said the blasts were perpetrated by persons "some of whom had undergone training in Afghanistan, while some others are linked to international terrorism."
"Upon their return to Morocco, these individuals have constituted terrorist groups with the support of foreign parties," he explained.
The official affirmed that no foreign pressure is being exerted on Morocco in connection with the case. "There is no internal nor foreign pressure nor influence on the unfolding of the case, he said, adding that the Moroccan law will be applied to the foreigners' trial."
© MAP 2003