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| Calls for transparency follow Morocco terror arrests | |||
| 2010-05-07 | |||
| [Maghrebia] In the wake of terror cell arrests that drew international headlines, Moroccans are demanding that their government disclose more information about major terrorism cases. The 24-member group recently seized in Casablanca and several other cities is accused of plotting assassinations and acts of sabotage "against the security services and foreign interests in Morocco," the Interior Ministry said in a statement issued April 26th. "This network was recruiting Moroccan activists to send them to scenes of conflict, particularly in Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia and the Sahel-Sahara region," the ministry said. From the public's point of view, however, such announcements about dismantled terror cells have become so frequent that they no longer merit attention. "The statements issued by the Ministry of the Interior are similar to each other. They always announce the arrest of groups that were planning to carry out attacks within and outside Morocco," said bank clerk Samir Kaddour. "We don't know the circumstances and awareness is not raised." Political science student Rachida Tourani agrees that the authorities should share more information with the public. "This way, Moroccans will know what is really happening within their country and will also be able to help counter the terrorist threat," she said. This reaction is perfectly understandable in a context where the authorities do not disclose all information, sociologist Ali Chaabani told Magharebia. "I am not calling the existence of these groups into question, but every month, or every couple of months, we hear that a terrorist network has been caught. Since May 2003, the number of groups arrested has exceeded a hundred," he said.
"How many networks have been broken up in the United States, France or Belgium?" he asked. "Only a limited number, compared to Morocco."
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| Posted by:Fred |