Morocco sentenced at least 6 politicans on dubious terrorism charges in an unfair trial in the 2009 Belliraj case

On 28 July 2009, a Sale court in Morocco sentenced Moroccan-Belgian Abdelkader Belleraj to life in prison for running an international terrorist network. The 34 other defendants on trial with Belleraj received sentences ranging from one to 30 years. While there is little doubt that Belleraj and some of his associates have committed grave crimes, [...]

The EU as a counter-terrorism actor abroad

This paper by the EPC looks at thehandling of counter-terrorism in the ensemble of EU external relations and assistance vis-à-vis five countries of recognised importance for European interests: Algeria, Morocco, Yemen, Pakistan, and Indonesia.

Morocco terrorism suspects face serious human rights violations: HRW

Suspects detained under Morocco’s counterterrorism law routinely face serious human rights violations, including illegal detention and torture, according to a report issued Monday by Human Rights Watch. The 56-page report was created following interviews with seven men detained pursuant to the counterterrorism law. The stories document a pattern of abuse in which suspected terrorists are [...]

Binalshibh secret prison interrogation tapes found, names of 6 prisoners in Romania secret facility disclosed

AP reports that the two videotapes and one audiotape of 9/11 plotter Ramzi Binalshibh being interrogated in a secret overseas prison are believed to be the only remaining recordings made within the clandestine prison system. The tapes depict Binalshibh’s interrogation sessions at a Moroccan-run facility the CIA used near Rabat in 2002, several current and [...]

Morocco Breaks Up Radical Islamist Cell

Moroccan security forces broke up a radical Islamist cell that was planning attacks in Morocco, including on foreign targets, official media quoted the interior ministry as saying on Wednesday. The cell had 18 members, including three Islamists who had been detained in the past over related offences, the official MAP news agency said, quoting a [...]

Italy expels 2 Moroccans on terrorism grounds

Italy has expelled under its anti-terrorism law two Moroccans on 29 April 2010 because they were suspected of plotting to assassinate Pope Benedict, an Italian Ministry source said on Friday. Mohammed Hlal, 27, studied international communications in the central  town of Perugia before being sent back to Morocco by Italian police  along with 22-year-old Errahmouni [...]

North Africa countries move against al-Qaida

(UPI) Algeria has launched a major military campaign against al-Qaida and its fellow travelers and Morocco says it rounded up a terrorist cell amid a campaign by North African states aimed at crushing the jihadists. The campaign, dubbed Operation Ennasr — Victory — followed an April 20 summit attended by the military chiefs of four [...]

Maghreb & Sahel Terrorism: Addressing the Rising Threat from al-Qaeda & other Terrorists in North & West/Central Africa

Paper by Yonah Alexander, Director of the International Center for Terrorism Studies at the Potomac Institutesfor Policy Studies. Read it here. There are four sections in this report. First, the introduction surveys recent terrorism studies with specific relevance to this paper and provides an overview of contemporary terrorism. Second, a section on Maghreb terrorism concisely [...]