A joint operation by Spanish and Moroccan police has led to the break up of an alleged Islamic State cell consisting of three people posed to commit terrorist acts
Morocco’s security services arrested one member of the alleged terrorist cell in Chtouka Aït Baha Morocco while Spanish authorities arrested two other members in Almeria on Wednesday, January 11.
The Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ) dismantled the terrorist cell, made up of three members who have pledged allegiance to the Daesh organization and are active in Morocco and Spain.
The BCIJ said in a statement that this operation was carried out by the special forces of the General Directorate of National Territory Surveillance.
Three suspects were spreading extremist ideas
The investigation into the terror cell revealed that the three suspects were working to spread the extremist ideas of Daesh to recruit potential supporters. They were also willing to take part in terrorist acts after the failure of their attempt to join the ranks of Daesh in the Sahel, where they were in contact with fighters of the organisation.
In Chtouka Aït Baha, the searches carried out led to the seizure of a number of equipment, in particular digital equipment, which were submitted for technical expertise besides a bladed weapon, a mask, and writings praising Daesh.
The person arrested in Morocco was taken into police custody as part of an investigation carried out under the supervision of the prosecutor’s office in charge of terrorism cases, while the Spanish authorities are carrying out their investigations with the two other elements of the cell detained in Spain.
According to the BCIJ press release, the operation is part of continuous efforts and coordination between the Moroccan and Spanish security services in order to neutralise any terrorist threat to the two countries.
Read more: Morocco’s Central Bureau of Judicial Investigation (BCIJ) aborted an imminent terrorist plot on October 6, 2019.
BCIJ issued a press release, announcing that it thwarted the terror plot after dismantling an extremist five-member cell operating in Tangier. The terror cell members are aged between 22 and 28. All of the suspects have pledged loyalty to ISIS.
The Special Forces of the General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance (DGST) conducted an intervention operation that resulted in the arrest of the alleged emir or leader of the cell.
The main suspect exhibited violent resistance, which compelled the DGST special forces to launch sound bombs to warn and neutralise the threat.
