Terror Trial: members of alleged underground group acquitted

The court of appeal of Rabat on Friday acquitted 9 members of the underground group dubbed "Casablanca group" that were sued under the anti-terror law.

This law was enacted in the wake of May 16 terrorist attacks that rocked the Moroccan largest city, Casablanca. 45 people perished in the attack, including the twelve suicide bombers.

Last April, the appeal court of Rabat condemned six people belonging to the "Casablanca group" to sentences ranging from 5 to 8 years. They were facing several charges including "criminal association to commit terrorist acts, raising and managing funds to use them in terrorist acts, activities within an unauthorized association and holding unlicensed public meetings."

Over 2000 people were arrested after the bloody terrorist attacks of May 16. Sentences in terrorism-related cases included various jail terms including, in some cases, capital punishment and life imprisonment.