Morocco arrests six persons accused of advocating terrorism

Six men accused of being members of a banned group "Attakfir Walhijra" were arrested and referred to the court of appeal of Rabat for advocating terrorism.

The men arrested last Wednesday in Sale, Rabat's twin city, are facing charges of "advocating terrorism acts, belonging to a banned religious group, holding unlicensed meetings, threats and violence."

According to police sources, they were arrested following complaints by citizens who said they have been threatened and assaulted.

Manuscripts and religious books inciting to violence were seized in the houses of the six men whose age range between 23 and 48 years.

The men are sued under the Moroccan anti-terrorism law enacted in the wake of the string of five semi-simultaneous terrorist attacks that rocked Casablanca in May 2003. Over 40 people, including the attacks authors, died in the operations.