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Morocco says extremists extradited from France were planning attacks on both countries

Xinhua, September 1, 2016 Adjust font size:

Moroccan authorities said on Thursday that the two suspected extremists extradited to Morocco from France earlier this month had planned attacks on targets in both countries.

The two suspects, deported to Morocco from France on Aug. 28, were found to have pledged allegiance to the Islamic State terrorist group, the Moroccan Interior Ministry said in a statement.

One of the suspects had been in contact with an IS leader in the Syria-Iraq region to coordinate terrorist operations in France, the statement said.

The suspect scouted out several public and strategic sites in France, particularly those frequented by many people during weekends.

He was planning attacks that would involve firearms, ramming vehicles into crowds and arson, aiming to kill the maximum number of individuals, the statement said.

The same suspect was also plotting terrorist attacks on vital areas and security services in Morocco, it said.

The two extradited suspects will be put on trial after the completion of investigation supervised by the public prosecutor's office, the statement said.

Morocco's Interior Ministry says about 160 terrorist cells have been dismantled since 2002. Endit