Nineteen alleged members of Al Hijra Wa Takfir extremist group appear before appeal court of Taza

Nineteen alleged members of Al Hijra Wa Takfir extremist group were brought before the appeal court of Taza, authorities said Wednesday.

The individuals, from several cities, are sued for criminal gang constitution, robbery, shaking of Muslims' faith, attempt to institutions, belonging to a non-authorized association, holding of illegal meeting and exacerbation of violence, the same sources said, adding that the suspects were led by K. Ouahbi, who was arrested by county police in Nador (northeast).

Another suspected member of Assalafia Al Jihadia, arrested in Tahla on July 02, was brought before the court of first instance of Taza, the nearest city to Tahla.

In the same connection, a 41-year-old retailer, sued for violation of public order and belonging to Assalafia Al Jihadia, was sentenced to 8 months in jail.

The man had condemned, with writings on his home's walls, democracy as "a form of American imperialism."