Al Hoceima: Prosecutor's Office Denies Rumours About Operation That Cost Policeman's Life
One policeman killed, two gendarmes and a civilian wounded during an operation on 7 September in Al Hoceima. The prosecutor general's office refutes false information circulated on social media.
Al Hoceima Operation: Prosecutor General's Office Establishes Facts After Deadly Shooting
The prosecutor general of the King near the Court of Appeal of Al Hoceima published a statement on Tuesday to provide clarification on a security operation carried out on 7 September in north-east Morocco, during which a policeman lost his life and two gendarmes as well as a civilian were wounded. According to fr.apanews.net, the prosecutor's office also denied false information circulated on certain social media regarding this matter.
A suspect subject to several national arrest warrants
According to the official statement, the operation targeted an individual who was the subject of multiple search notices at the national level. The charges against him are serious: trafficking in hard drugs, establishment of a criminal gang, organisation of illegal immigration and attempted murder with the use of a firearm.
During the arrest, the suspect opened fire on judicial police officers with a hunting rifle, causing the death of a policeman and wounding two gendarmes as well as a civilian. In response, a member of the security forces used his service weapon in accordance with legitimate self-defence, striking the suspect in the foot. He was subsequently transferred to hospital under police surveillance to receive necessary medical care.
Attempted obstruction by accomplices
The statement reports the intervention of several individuals belonging, according to investigation findings, to the same criminal gang. While the suspect was surrounded in a dwelling, these accomplices allegedly attempted to prevent his arrest by using two vehicles and a hunting rifle, firing in the direction of security officers.
The main suspect was eventually arrested. Two other individuals, admitted to a private clinic, were also apprehended and placed under police surveillance. The operation also resulted in the seizure of the hunting rifle used by the suspect as well as a drone. Investigations are continuing to determine all the circumstances of the matter.
Clarification in response to social media
The prosecutor general's office explicitly denied certain versions circulating on social media, considering that their authors seek, "in bad faith", to take the events out of context, that being the fight against crime. The prosecutor reaffirms the commitment of the judicial authorities to apply the law strictly, to combat all forms of criminality and to guarantee the security of citizens as well as that of the security forces.
Source: Google News MA — Crime (fr)