Twenty persons stand trial for acquaintances with underground violent group

General prosecutor at the court of appeal of Rabat, Hassan Laoufi, announced that 20 persons stood trial on Wednesday at the court for acquaintance with the "Salafia Jihadia" underground group.

The magistrate said the men, aged between 19 and 55, had set up cells of a clandestine organization based in several neighborhoods of Sale (Rabat twin city).

According to the source, they were planning to assassinate political figures and security officers and attack some important sites in Rabat. The men were also projecting to attack banks to fund terrorist attacks as part of what they call "legitimate booty."

The men are sued for forming a gang with the aim of committing crimes against persons, robbing funds, as part of a collective scheme meant to harm public order and internal security and for giving shelter to members of an armed gang.