Algerian security forces have dismantled an international Moroccan criminal network operating on national territory, arresting 61 Moroccan nationals who were planning acts of sabotage to undermine public security and order. According to a communiqué from the General Directorate of National Security (DGSN), the arrests were made following a tip-off and subsequent investigations by the judicial police of the Oran wilaya. The suspects, who pose a high level of danger, were found to be planning acts of sabotage.
The plot was uncovered in early October, when police in Oran foiled the sabotage plan and arrested the 61 Moroccan nationals, including a former member of the Moroccan army. Initial investigations revealed that the suspects had infiltrated Algeria after landing at Tunis International Airport and then crossing into Algerian territory via mountainous paths and isolated forest areas in El Kala, El Tarf wilaya, which borders the Algerian-Tunisian frontier.
The suspects then traveled by land to Oran, where they were preparing to carry out their sabotage plans. The DGSN said that the operation, supervised by the competent prosecutor, also resulted in the seizure and recovery of Moroccan passports and sums of money in Moroccan dirhams and euros. The arrests demonstrate the efficiency of Algerian security forces in detecting and disrupting foreign-backed plots.
The fact that the group consists of Moroccan nationals, and the significant number of individuals involved, suggests that the sabotage plan targeting Algeria was directed from Morocco. Algerian authorities have repeatedly warned of the threat posed by extremist groups and foreign-backed plots aimed at destabilizing the country.
The suspects have been presented before the prosecutor of the Republic near the specialized penal pole of Oran. The Algerian judiciary will now investigate and prosecute the suspects for their alleged crimes. This successful operation highlights the cooperation and coordination between different Algerian security agencies.
Algeria has been a key player in regional security efforts, working closely with neighboring countries to combat terrorism and transnational crime. The country's security forces have been on high alert in recent years, given the threat posed by extremist groups operating in the Sahel region.
The foiled sabotage plot is a significant success for Algerian security forces, demonstrating their ability to detect and disrupt foreign-backed plots. The incident also highlights the need for continued vigilance and cooperation between regional security agencies to prevent similar threats.
Key points
- 61 Moroccan nationals planning sabotage acts were arrested in Algeria.
- The suspects had infiltrated Algeria via Tunis International Airport and mountainous paths.
- The operation resulted in the seizure of Moroccan passports and sums of money.
