Latest news with #BCIJ
Ya Biladi
a day ago
- Ya Biladi
Morocco arrests ISIS-influenced teenager in Settat for planning terrorist attacks
On the morning of Sunday, August 10, the Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ), acting on intelligence from the General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance, apprehended an 18-year-old influenced by the extremist ideology of the terrorist group ISIS. The arrest took place in Douar El Amarna, in the province of Settat. According to the initial findings, the suspect had expressed interest in manufacturing explosives and explosive belts, and is believed to have been planning terrorist attacks that posed a serious threat to public safety and order, the BCIJ said in a statement. Investigators found that the young man was in contact with a Maghreb-based ISIS leader, who encouraged him to carry out a terrorist plot in Morocco and provided him with references and publications on bomb-making techniques. The preliminary investigation also revealed that the suspect had praised, on various media platforms, terrorist acts carried out by ISIS fighters, as well as other content inciting the execution of subversive projects. The suspect has been placed in custody as the investigation, supervised by the prosecutor's office specializing in terrorism cases, continues to determine the scope of the alleged plots and identify any possible connections inside or outside Morocco.
Morocco World
a day ago
- Morocco World
Morocco's BCIJ Arrests 18-Year-Old Suspected ISIS Sympathizer
Rabat — Moroccan authorities arrested on Sunday morning an 18-year-old man suspected of planning terrorist attacks in Settat province. The Central Bureau of Judicial Investigation (BCIJ) apprehended the suspect in Douar El Amarna based on intelligence from the General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance (DGTS). Officials say the young man followed the extremist ideology of the ISIS terrorist organization. The operation is part of Morocco's security efforts to counter terrorist threats to the country's security and citizen safety, the BCIJ said in a statement. Initial investigation findings show the suspect expressed interest in making explosives and explosive belts. Officials suspect he was preparing terrorist attacks that could have caused serious damage to public safety and security. The suspect maintained contact with one of ISIS's North African leaders operating in the field, according to the same source. The leader encouraged the suspect to execute a terrorist project in Morocco and provided him with references and instructions on how to make explosives. The preliminary investigation also found that the suspect promoted terrorist content on social media platforms. He circulated content showing terrorist operations carried out by ISIS members and encouraging subversive projects. The suspect is placed in custody for further investigation, with the terrorism prosecutor supervising the ongoing inquiry to identify all terrorist projects linked to him and determine his possible connections inside and outside Morocco. The BCIJ's statement concluded that the arrest signals the growing terrorist threats looming over the North African country. On July 2, the BCIJ dismantled a four-member ISIS cell operating between Tetouan and Chefchaouen, who pledged allegiance to the emir of ISIS. Tags: BCIJISISISIS morocco
Ya Biladi
28-06-2025
- Ya Biladi
Morocco arrests ISIS-affiliated woman suspected of planning terrorist attack in Rabat
Moroccan security forces arrested a 21-year-old woman in Rabat on Friday for suspected links to the terrorist organization «ISIS» and for preparing a high-risk terrorist plot, the Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ) announced on Saturday. The suspect, a student at a technical institute, was taken into custody based on intelligence provided by the General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance (DGST). According to the BCIJ, the arrest resulted from joint operational cooperation and intelligence coordination between the DGST and French intelligence services. This collaboration made it possible to identify the suspect, monitor her extremist activities, and thwart the plot before it could be carried out. Preliminary investigations revealed that she had already begun preparing for the attack by learning how to manufacture explosives and poisons, and by acquiring some of the necessary materials. The intended target was initially a religious site in Rabat. A search of her home uncovered flammable substances, handwritten notes promoting extremist ideologies, and books inciting fanaticism, intolerance, and radicalism. The suspect has been placed in custody as part of a judicial investigation led by the BCIJ, under the supervision of the Public Prosecutor's Office responsible for terrorism cases. The investigation aims to determine who recruited and radicalized her, and to uncover any potential links to terrorist organizations.
Morocco World
28-06-2025
- Morocco World
BCIJ Arrests 21-Year-Old Woman Linked to ISIS Over Foiled Terror Plot
Rabat – Morocco's Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ) has arrested a 21-year-old female student suspected of planning a major terrorist attack, the bureau announced on Friday. The suspect, who was pursuing her studies at a technical institute in Rabat, was taken into custody following precise intelligence provided by the General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance (DGST). She is believed to be affiliated with ISIS and was allegedly preparing an attack that posed a serious threat to public safety. Her primary target, authorities said, was a religious site in Rabat. According to the BCIJ, the arrest was the result of close operational coordination between Moroccan intelligence services and their French counterparts. The joint effort enabled authorities to identify the suspect, monitor her extremist activities, and intervene before her plans could be carried out. Preliminary investigations indicate that the young woman had already begun acquiring skills in making bomb and toxic substances, and had secured materials believed to be intended for use in an imminent terror operation. A search of her residence uncovered flammable substances, extremist writings, and books promoting radical ideologies. The suspect is currently in police custody under anti-terrorism legal procedures. Investigators are working to determine how she was recruited and whether she has links to other terrorist groups or individuals. This arrest is part of the later efforts Morocco continues to make to focus on preemptive security operations amid persistent global and regional terror threats. It also affirms the strong counterterrorism partnership between Morocco and France, particularly in the area of intelligence sharing and joint investigations. On Tuesday, Morocco's Director General of National Security and Territorial Surveillance (DGSN-DGST), Abdellatif Hammouchi, signed a joint action plan with his French counterpart Louis Laugier in Rabat. The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation between Morocco's security services and France's National Police in combating transnational organized crime. Tags: bcij against ISISDGSN and DGSTISIS
Morocco World
10-03-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Morocco, France Enter New Era of Justice Cooperation with Minister Visit
Doha – Morocco and France signed a joint declaration Monday to strengthen their judicial and legal cooperation, focusing on counterterrorism and organized crime, as part of their strategic partnership. The meeting provided an opportunity to conduct an in-depth review of progress in legal and judicial cooperation between the two countries and explore future collaboration prospects. Moroccan Minister of Justice Abdellatif Ouahbi and his French counterpart Gérald Darmanin sealed the agreement in Rabat, building upon the action plan signed in May 2024. The ministers stressed the strategic importance of counterterrorism efforts, acknowledging it as a major threat both nationally and internationally that heavily impacts sovereignty, security, economy, environment, and development of both nations. The ministers reiterated their commitment to address contemporary challenges, including facilitating legal procedures for Moroccan residents in France, particularly regarding personal status and family rights. 'A deep friendship and renewed partnership' Morocco has emerged as a key counterterrorism reference, recently dismantling a major Daesh cell operating across nine cities in February. The operation, led by BCIJ and DGST, arrested twelve suspects and uncovered a sophisticated weapons cache. Since 2002, Morocco has dismantled over 200 terrorist cells linked to Sahel-Sahara, Syrian, and Iraqi networks. 'This visit translates into a deep friendship and a renewed and strengthened partnership between our two countries, linked by a shared history, mutual attachment, and essential relations of brotherhood and solidarity,' Darmanin declared during his interview with 2M on Sunday. The declaration stems from exchanges that began during the development of the May 2024 action plan, incorporating crucial strategic priorities. Both countries affirmed their shared commitment to intensify efforts against these phenomena by mobilizing necessary resources, particularly in the legal domain. 'The more we talk, the more we prevent tragedies' 'The cooperation is excellent,' Darmanin voiced during an interview with 2M on Sunday. 'The exceptional work Morocco does in intelligence and counter-radicalization provides us with substantial information, and we manage to work together to prevent attacks.' 'Even during periods of tension, joint actions have always been carried out between Moroccan and French justice systems,' he added, pointing to the continuous nature of their collaboration. 'The more we dialogue, the more we are able to prevent tragedies.' 'We have reached an agreement on all pending issues,' Ouahbi stated, expressing confidence in the future of judicial cooperation between the two nations. The declaration aims to modernize the judicial system through continuous training of sector professionals, implementation of administrative improvement programs, and legislative development. The ministers agreed on the importance of exchanging expertise across all justice-related fields. The bilateral cooperation rests on a shared legal model, enriched by what the ministers described as 'judicial Francophonie' and close human relations, consolidating shared interests and deep solidarity. Both countries recalled the long tradition of trust and solidarity bonds uniting them. Darmanin proclaimed the declaration 'a significant sign of enhanced cooperation,' while commending Moroccan magistrates' pivotal role alongside their French counterparts in combating terrorism and drug trafficking. Darmanin also talked about the importance of civil law cooperation between the two countries, covering matters such as 'marriages, divorces, child presentation, successions, and economic support.' Expanding judicial frameworks During his visit, Darmanin also met with Morocco's Prosecutor General, Moulay El Hassan Daki, at the headquarters of the Public Prosecutor's Office in Rabat. Their discussions focused on expanding judicial and technical cooperation mechanisms, particularly in fighting organized and transnational crime. The meeting also stressed advances in Morocco's judicial system, especially regarding the independence of judicial authority and the digitalization of procedures. The French minister also met with Mohamed Abdennabaoui, First President of the Court of Cassation and Delegate President of the Supreme Council of the Judiciary (CSPJ). Their discussions also focused on strengthening judicial cooperation and activating the twinning agreement between the Moroccan and French Courts of Cassation. The French minister disclosed plans to improve the confiscation of assets seized from drug traffickers. 'We seize many assets – houses, apartments, cars, sometimes cryptocurrencies – but we confiscate relatively few on both sides of the Mediterranean. This must absolutely be improved,' he articulated. 'In France, out of 1.4 billion euros in seizures, only 300 million euros are actually confiscated, a figure that remains insufficient.' 'France would be less safe without Morocco' During a joint press conference with Ouahbi, Darmanin 'sincerely thanked' Morocco for its cooperation in fighting drug trafficking, particularly regarding the recent arrest of two suspects linked to the Mohamed Amra case in Marrakech. 'These individuals arrested by Moroccan services will, we hope, be sent to French national territory in the coming days to answer for their acts before French justice,' he stated. He also declared that 'without Morocco's work, in this specific case, but also in previous cases, and those I cannot publicly reference, France would be less safe,' Darmanin emphasized, expressing hope that the two suspects would be extradited 'in the coming days.' The justice minister added that 'these individuals arrested by Moroccan services will, we hope, be sent to French national territory in the coming days to answer for their acts before French justice.' After nine months on the run, Mohamed Amra was arrested in late February in Romania and handed over to France. Simultaneously, a broad investigation has led to the indictment of 27 people suspected of helping the drug trafficker in his escape and flight. Amra had escaped while being transferred from his cell in Normandy. A commando had attacked the prison van at a toll booth using a ram-raid vehicle and assault rifles to free him, killing two prison officers and wounding three others. After experiencing tensions a few years ago, relations between Morocco and France have improved significantly since French President Emmanuel Macron voiced strong support for Morocco's Autonomy Plan for the Western Sahara. This visit marks Darmanin's second trip to Morocco in less than a year, following his April 2024 visit as Interior Minister. The cooperation has yielded major results, including the arrest and extradition of major French drug traffickers, notably Félix Bingui in Casablanca and Mohamed Amine Yahiaoui in Marrakech. Darmanin also emphasized the importance of civil law cooperation between the two countries, covering matters such as 'marriages, divorces, child presentation, successions, and economic support.' The enhanced French-Moroccan cooperation follows similar judicial agreements Morocco recently signed with Spain and Portugal. On March 5, Morocco and Spain signed a judicial cooperation declaration in Madrid focusing on cross-border crime fighting, while in January, Morocco and Portugal established a comparable framework in Lisbon Both agreements particularly aimed at preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which the three countries will co-host. Read also: Darmanin Seeks to Boost France-Morocco Crime-Fighting Partnership Tags: Gerald darmaninMorocco France Relations
