Habboub Charkaoui, the director of the Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ), gave a press conference to discuss the most recent findings in the continuing investigation into a police officer’s death.

The representative clarified that numerous organizations, including Casablanca’s judicial police, are working together on this probe.

The spot where the victim’s personal vehicle was set ablaze and abandoned there in a rural area was the subject of the investigation.

Habboub from BCIJ said that at first, the investigating authorities were unable to validate any of the possibilities after finding the victim’s body at the crime site. The team of investigators therefore dealt with all tenable hypotheses, including the terrorist component of this, which called for additional research.

Investigators came to the conclusion that this was a terrorist crime conducted by at least two people, motivated by theft or an extremist purpose after taking into account the absence of the victim’s work gun and handcuffs as well as the suspects’ stalking activities.

As a result of the coordinated actions of the relevant agencies, the first suspect was apprehended in Casablanca, the second suspect was found hiding in the city of Fes, and the third suspect was apprehended in Casablanca when the authorities found his hiding place.

“I can only remember the wonderful interaction of the public with the investigation teams for reporting anything questionable to serve justice,” stated Habboub BCIJ director.

I salute everyone who helped the victim’s family by sending them wonderful condolence letters and other forms of support, the speaker said.

According to information presented to the team of detectives thus far in their investigation, the suspects all recently swore allegiance to ISIS after one of them repeated what they think to be the vow of supposed allegiance to the corpse, which confirmed that this is a terrorist crime.

The evidence that is currently available indicates that the suspects wanted to go to the Sahel to join the terrorist organization Daesh but were unable to do so because of a lack of money. They started preparing local terrorist strikes against security people, banks, and other financial organizations as a result.

When questioned about the possibility that this is an instance of quick extremism, the officer responded that the suspects had only joined Daesh a month and a half prior, confirming that it is.

The main suspect, a 31-year-old man who has already been charged with drug usage and violent theft in the past, has a long criminal history.

The results of the inquiry proved that the suspects had a premeditated motivation because they had chosen a bank deliberately, arranged to rob it, and scouted the neighborhood.

The 37-year-old second suspect helped the first suspect commit the crime. The third, a 50-year-old guy, was responsible for setting the automobile on fire in an effort to tamper with the crime scene and the evidence.

The search for anyone connected to the atrocities is still ongoing in the inquiry.

Read Also: Morocco-US cooperation shines in the closing ceremony of Compact II

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The director of the Central Bureau of Judicial Investigation (BCIJ), Haboub Cherkaoui, gave an exclusive interview to the Israeli television channel i24 News in the framework of the Defence programme, where he highlighted the close ties between Iran and the Polisario.

The head of the fight against terrorism returned to the real threats that target Morocco directly: “A real threat comes from Iran and Hezbollah, with the help of Algeria. There has been a significant move by Iran and Hezbollah on the one hand, and the Polisario Front and Algeria on the other. This rapprochement represents a threat to the security and stability of Morocco.

To face this threat, which is now more than proven, the director of the BCIJ specified that “the most important thing to fight against these threats is to conclude agreements such as the Abraham Agreements, signed with Israel and the United States”, in order to combat “Iranian interference in the internal affairs of the country.

« Les accords d'Abraham consacrent un rapprochement très fort entre le Maroc et Israël. Les Marocains d'Israël constituent la communauté juive la plus nombreuse en provenance d'un pays arabe »

Habboub Cherkaoui, directeur du #BCIJ, le "FBI marocain" #Défense @MatthiasInbar pic.twitter.com/rpJesCQl51

— i24NEWS Français (@i24NEWS_FR) March 1, 2023

The official also returned to the operations of the BCIJ in the Sahel, which “harbours terrorist organisations […] that were formerly active in Syria and Iraq”, giving a clarification of the situation on the ground: “While the special forces operating in the region have made a lot of progress, they have not succeeded in putting a definitive end to terrorism.” “Daech and al-Qaeda have been crushed on the ground, but their ideology is still alive,” he said, particularly via “cells that are kept dormant until they are activated one day by their leaders.

Finally, Habboub Cherkaoui highlighted the role played by the King of Morocco in the fight against terrorism and organised crime, but also in leading “reform in the religious domain”.

Read Also: Israel announces the construction of a new permanent ’embassy’ in Rabat

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Five extremists affiliated with the terrorist organization “Istalmic State,” aged 21 to 44, were arrested Wednesday morning by the Central Bureau for Judicial Investigations (BCIJ), with the help of special forces from the General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance (DGST), for their alleged involvement in planning for the execution of destructive projects within the framework of so-called individual terrorist operations.

According to a statement released by the BCIJ, the suspects were arrested in separate and simultaneous security operations in Kenitra, Larache, Souk Sebt Ouled Nemma, Taroudant, and the rural commune of Souihla (Marrakech prefecture), as part of the DGST services’ ongoing efforts to neutralize and abort terrorist plans and projects that threaten the country’s and citizens’ security.

Electronic materials and media were seized during searches at the homes of those arrested, according to the same source, and will be subjected to technical and digital expertise to determine their content. Manuscripts praising the terrorist organization Islamic State were also seized, including a manuscript listing products and elements used in the manufacture of explosive devices, as well as bladed weapons of various sizes.

According to early investigations, the five extremists linked with the terrorist organization “Islamic State” are involved in the instigation and planning of terrorist projects, as well as the gathering of extremist content on explosive device manufacturing.

They also commended the Islamic State terrorist organization’s physical liquidation and mutilation of bodies, as well as fanatical takfirist notions of society and representatives of public power, and approving the spoils of terrorist operations.

According to the statement, the suspects had specified terrorist targets that were unique to each of them, but that all overlapped in terms of individual terrorism methods and techniques, which were summarized in the targeting of security and military sites and government installations.

They also planned physical liquidations against members of the public and government departments, as well as commercial and banking institutions, in order to get the resources and funding needed for terrorist activities.

The suspects were detained pending the conclusion of a judicial investigation by the BCIJ, which was conducted under the supervision of the prosecutor’s office in charge of terrorism cases, with the goal of highlighting the terrorist projects prepared by each of them and determining any possible ramifications with other terrorist cells and organizations active in Morocco and abroad.

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The Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ), which is part of the General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance (DGST), referred an extremist supporter of the so-called “Islamic State” organization who was active in the Sala Al Jadida region on Tuesday to the Public Prosecutor’s Office in charge of terrorism and extremism cases.
According to a BCIJ statement, technical expertises and digital analyses performed on the electronic and computer equipment seized in the context of this case revealed that the 24-year-old suspect had downloaded several documents, books, and digital content from extremist sites, recounting the stages of manufacturing explosives and explosive devices and determining the nature of chemicals and components used in their manufacture.
Similarly, these investigations revealed that the suspect downloaded and saved manuscripts and photos that explained, in a practical way, the mode of manufacture and activation of explosives, whether in the context of suicide operations or remote actuation, as well as the possession and archiving of other extremist content on the stages of manufacture of toxic substances and the components used in their preparation, as well as a detailed inventory on the methods and techniques.
According to the BCIJ, the suspect’s technical expertise and investigations revealed that he had progressed to an advanced stage in his terrorist project, indicating that he was on his way to carrying out his destructive plan after conducting several experiments on the preparation and assembly of explosive devices for use in terrorist operations.
The BCIJ arrested this extremist element, which has pledged allegiance to the terrorist organization “Daesh,” on December 16 as part of a coordination and cooperation operation involving the DGST and the General Directorate of National Security (DGSN) of Morocco, as well as intelligence and law enforcement agencies in the United States.
This security operation demonstrates the relevance and efficiency of the DGST’s close bilateral collaboration with American security and intelligence services in the battle against violent extremism and terrorist threats on a global scale, according to the same source.

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The Central Bureau for Judicial Investigations (BCIJ) of the General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance (DGST) arrested an extremist supporter of the “Islamic State” (IS) aged 24 and active in the Sala Al Jadida region on Thursday, in close collaboration with the General Directorate of National Security (DGSN).

The suspect’s arrest and the thwarting of his terrorist plot are part of the Moroccan security services’ ongoing efforts to confront the risks of violent extremism and combat terrorist threats, according to the BCIJ.

According to the statement, this arrest is the result of bilateral cooperative relations and tight coordination between the services of the DGST of the Kingdom of Morocco, intelligence services, and US law enforcement organizations.

The suspect had prepared digital content in which he professed allegiance to the purported emir of the IS terrorist group and was intending to join the organization’s camps abroad before deciding to take part in a terrorist project in Morocco using explosive devices, according to the BCIJ.

According to the investigation, the suspect attempted to prepare two explosive devices, which was confirmed by the searches, which resulted in the seizure of electronic devices, materials, and remains of products suspected of being used in the preparation of explosives, which were handed over to technical security services to be subjected to the necessary scientific expertise.

The suspect was detained until the BCIJ investigation, which is being performed under the supervision of the prosecutor’s office in charge of terrorism issues, with the goal of showing the links of this terrorist plot, as well as its regional consequences both in Morocco and overseas.

According to the source, this security operation demonstrates the necessity and efficiency of bilateral collaboration between the DGST and the US security and intelligence services in the battle against violent extremism and terrorist threats on a global scale.

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Today, March 25th, the Central Bureau of Judicial Investigation (BCIJ) of the General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance (DST) managed to dismantle a terrorist cell consisting of four militants, aged between 24 and 28, operating in the city of Oujda and linked to the so-called “Islamic State” organization.

The BCIJ stated, in a communiqué, that the operation comes within the framework of continuing efforts to neutralize the dangers of terrorist threats and dismantle extremist organizations that aim to disturb the public order and threaten the security and stability of the Kingdom.

The communiqué also highlighted that this terrorist cell has been dismantled and its imminent extremist plans aborted thanks to close coordination between members of the DST and the American intelligence services “which confirms once again the importance of international cooperation to combat terrorist threats, and demonstrates the efficacy of the distinguished partnerships that play a major role in ensuring the success of operations against terrorism and violent extremism”.

The BCIJ explained that the members of this terrorist cell were arrested in simultaneous security operations in four different residential neighborhoods in the city of Oujda, during which the members of the special forces affiliated with the DST had to fire sound bombs to neutralize the danger emanating from the main suspect. The second suspect was also arrested on the roofs of neighboring houses while trying to flee, in conditions that endanger him and others.

The searches carried out at the home of the main suspect enabled the special forces to seize an important sum of money in European currency, and four passports belonging to the members of the cell that the suspect was keeping in a safe place at home, as well as weapons, and other controlling information devices that will be subjected to professional inspection.

The same source added that the research and preliminary investigations carried out showed that the members of this terrorist cell declared their “loyalty” to the alleged emir of “ISIS”, and planned to join the camps of this terrorist organization in the Sahel region to carry out combat operations, before they were mobilized and assigned by one of the leaders of “ISIS” with the mission to implement terrorist plans inside the Kingdom, targeting vital national installations, security headquarters and military barracks.

The preliminary search procedures indicate that the arrested suspects carried out several reconnaissance operations to monitor and identify the sensitive targets and facilities to be targeted, as they were seeking to gain experience in the manufacture of explosives and improvised explosive devices, as well as their coordination with the aforementioned leader in ISIS to provide the necessary logistical resources and support to finance their sabotage projects.

The BCIJ stated that this new pre-emptive operation confirms the continued growth of terrorist threats that lie in wait for the security of the Kingdom and the safety of citizens, and the insistence of those who have been imbued with extremist ideology loyal to “ISIS” to implement terrorist projects aimed at disturbing public order.

On a final note, the communiqué indicated that the arrested persons were placed under pre-trial custody following the judicial research conducted by the BCIJ under the supervision of the Public Prosecution in charge of terrorism, in order to uncover all the contributors and participants involved in this terrorist cell, as well as monitoring its regional extensions and possible links to terrorist projects on the global level.

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The Polisario Front operates in mini terrorist groups, or within Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, or the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara.

The Director of the Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ), Cherkaoui Habboub, revealed in an interview with “Jeune Afrique”, that more than 100 Polisario separatists are part of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.

According to Habboub, “It has been proven that there is a mentality within the Tindouf camps and we have received ideological awareness by the camp imams, which is also a factor that made the Sahel region what it is today: a threat to Morocco as it is to other countries.”

The Director of the BCIJ indicated that in the face of the danger of these organizations, regional security cooperation is an indispensable condition for eliminating the existing threat, expressing his regret for the lack of cooperation with Algeria, and considering that it is dangerous matter, but also an obstacle that stands in the way of the efforts made by countries of the region and the rest of the world, in order to combat this phenomenon.

The official also stated that there is an Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS), led by Adnane Abou Walid al-Sahraoui, born in Laayoune and a former active member of the “Polisario” front, who, during the years 2016-2020, adopted a number of terrorist operations in the region, adding that the United States is granting 5 million dollars to anyone who provides information leading to his location.

Regarding the Moroccan approach adopted to confront this threat, Habboub explained that since the bombings of May 16th, 2003, Morocco, under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, has adopted a comprehensive, integrated and multidimensional approach, in which vigilance and preemption are main pillars.

He emphasized that “these two principles are essential today in facing the threat in the Sahel region,” noting that, in addition to this, the return of Moroccan terrorist fighters “is one of the major challenges for the Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations”, mentioning that 1,654 Moroccans have joined the Islamic State terrorist organization since its emergence in 2014, and that these individuals have received training in the manufacture of explosives and the preparation of lethal substances, among other things.

Regarding Moroccan cooperation in the field of combating terrorism, he affirmed that Morocco is fully committed to countering terrorism, along with its partners within the international coalition against terrorism, noting that this part of experience-sharing, exchange of information and the continuous security coordination, as well as the exchange in the field of training, pointing out that “a number of African officials received their training in Morocco.” These officials are mainly from as Mauritania, Gabon, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Madagascar and Tanzania.

On a final note, Habboub described the outcome of the BCIJ as “extremely satisfactory.” Since its creation, 82 cells have been dismantled, of which 76 are linked to the Islamic State. In addition, 1,338 persons (14 women and 33 minors) were arrested, while 54 detainees have terrorism-related case histories.

The official concluded that “If we want to talk in general about the Moroccan outcome in the field of fighting terrorism, the Kingdom has managed to dismantle 209 cells since 2002. In 2020, the Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations was able to dismantle 8 terrorist cells.”

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Local media sources reported that, since 2002, Morocco has succeeded in dismantling a total of 2009 terrorist cells, following the arrest of more than 3,535 people and the thwarting of more than 500 subversive projects.

Mohamed Nifaoui, Divisional Commissioner of the “Anti-Extremism and Countering Terrorism Unit” at the Central Office for Judicial Investigations (BCIJ), stated that “Morocco has been directly involved since 2003 in confronting terrorist crimes and their repercussions by relying on a proactive policy supported by parallel legal legislation that resulted in dismantling several terrorist cells and thwarting a number of subversive operations.”

In a speech during the first international conference on “Countering Violent Extremism: New Answers to New Challenges” in Rabat, the Commissioner touched on the measures taken by Morocco in this regard, including the development and review of mechanisms for managing religious affairs, and preventing their exploitation by groups and individuals, the implementation of the Supreme Scientific Council’s role under the auspices of King Mohammed VI, unifying the fatwa that has become exclusive to the competence of the scientific councils, in addition to establishing Mohammed VI Institute for training Imams, Mourchidines, and Mourchidates, and Mohammed VI Foundation of African Oulema, as well as strengthening criminal laws in a way that enables the Kingdom to fight terrorism in a straightforward manner.

In a related context, Nifaoui also pointed out that a number of terrorist organizations are taking advantage of the escalation of crises and the fragile security situation in the Sahel and Sahara region to implement their criminal plans, noting that among terrorist organizations that have been involved in the implementation of ISIS’ subversive projects in the region there is an organization known as the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS), led by Adnane Abou Walid al-Sahraoui, born in Laayoune, and member of the separatist “Polisario Front”.

In this regard, BCIJ’s representative called for a regional security approach that works to unify efforts to fight these terrorist organizations, especially in light of the random proliferation of weapons in this region and in other vast areas that are not subject to control, and the access of these organizations to large quantities of weapons and ammunition as a result of their collaborations with organized crime activists.

On a finale note, Nifaoui invited countries of the region to assume their security and preventive roles by strengthening border security measures and exchanging available information on fighters and returnees, as well as monitoring them and delivering them to their countries of origin.

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Central Office of Judicial Research (BCIJ) part of the General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance succeeded in dismantling a terrorist group linked to (ISIS) early this morning of Friday 4th, in Tetouan.

Part of Morocco’s effort in fighting terrorism targeting the peace and stability of the kingdom, Central Office of Judicial Research (BCIJ) has succeeded in dismantling a terrorist group linked to (ISIS).

The operation took place in two separate areas in Tetouan North of Morocco. The first in Boujrar neighborhood and the second in Karyan neighborhood.

The operation led to the arrest of three suspect terrorist members aged between 21 and 38.

The suspects displayed their full support and attachment to (ISIS) in a confiscated recorded video displaying their true motives.

The terrorists have overtly expressed their plans to act out terrorist attacks in the recorded video targeting the peace and stability of Morocco.

It’s worth noting that Morocco has succeeded in aborting numerous terrorist attempts within the last years.

According to the 2020 Global Terrorism Index, Morocco ranked 102 with a difference of +11 from the previous year. A jump in establishing peace and security throughout the alertness and flexibility of Morocco’s Security Forces.

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This Monday, The Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ) was able to dismantle a terrorist cell as part of its continuous efforts to confront terrorist threats that endanger the security and safety of the Kingdom of Morocco.

The terrorist cell is composed of three individuals that are associated with ISIS, whose ages range from 26 to 28 years old, and are active in the cities of Inezgane and Ait Maloul.

The Bureau stated that according to the researches and preliminary investigations carried out, the leader of this cell, together with his associates, announced their pledge of allegiance to the alleged caliph of ISIS, right before planning to carry out the terrorist operations aimed at destabilizing the security and stability of the Kingdom.

The same source added that their research and tracking procedures indicated that the members of this terrorist cell were searching for firearms, materials, and products used in the manufacture of IEDs, while encouraging other terrorist operations of “ISIS” in a number of foreign countries.

According to the report, this operation resulted in the seizure of large and medium-sized white arms, in addition to electronic devices and manuscripts of extremist nature.

The statement added that the operation comes against a backdrop of increased terrorist threats to the security of the Kingdom and the persistence of individuals who have been deluded and influenced by an extremist ideology to serve the subversive agenda of various terrorist organizations.

According to the same report, the suspects were kept under the measure of pre-trial detention, in order to deepen the search with them, under the supervision of the public prosecutor, pending their presentation to justice as soon as the search procedures were completed.

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