Suspects in casablanca attacks appear before court

A new group of seven suspects directly involved in the Casablanca terrorist attacks of May 16th was brought before the prosecutor of the Casablanca court of appeals, says general prosecutor, Abdallah Alaoui Belghiti, in a press statement.

According to the source, these suspects, reserve elements prepared to carry out suicide bombings, are facing charges of setting up criminal gangs, breach of the state's security, sabotage, premeditated murder and intentional damage causing permanent handicap.

The men aged between 21 and 28 are Khalid Ait Chihab, a welder, Aziz Echchafii, a student, El Mahjoub Grimet, a tailor, Mohamed Rafii alias Alfalestini, a herbalist, Sidi Ali Labouiri alias Abdelali, a hawker, Abdelhak Mouhim, unemployed and Abdellatif Amrine alias Abou Hamza, unemployed, added Alaoui Belghiti.

Nine other suspects had been brought before the prosecutor this week: six on Thursday and three others on Monday. They are facing the same charges.

The police is continuing its probe to identify and prosecute all those who have a connection with the spate of terrorist attacks that hit Casablanca on May 16th, claiming 43 lives and dozens of injured.