Algerian police say they have arrested 61 Moroccan nationals accused of preparing acts of sabotage. Authorities have described the group as an “international Moroccan criminal network”, but have provided few details about the alleged plot, raising questions in Morocco.
According to Algeria’s General Directorate of National Security (DGSN), the 61 individuals were arrested in early October on suspicion of preparing “acts of sabotage that would undermine public security and order”.
The group reportedly includes a former Moroccan military officer. Investigators say its members travelled by air to Tunisia before entering Algeria through mountain routes.
However, Algerian authorities have not publicly identified the alleged targets, explained what actions the group was planning or presented detailed evidence to support the accusations. Moroccan authorities have not issued an official response so far.
Questions over the evidence
Moroccan news outlet Médias24 has highlighted several inconsistencies in the account released by Algerian authorities.
According to the outlet, no weapons, explosives, maps or lists of potential targets were presented among the seized items. The reported exhibits consisted of mobile phones, passports, Moroccan dirhams and euros.
The outlet also questioned how a group of 61 foreign nationals could allegedly travel nearly 1,000 kilometres from the Tunisian border to Oran without local assistance or detection.
Another point raised concerns the police unit identified in footage released by Algerian authorities. Médias24 noted that the unit specialises in combating irregular migration rather than counterterrorism.
These questions do not, in themselves, establish that the allegations are unfounded. However, the absence of publicly disclosed details leaves key aspects of the case unclear.
A case amid strained relations
The arrests come against the backdrop of longstanding tensions between Algeria and Morocco. Algiers severed diplomatic relations with Rabat in 2021, amid escalating disputes between the two North African neighbours.
The latest allegations have renewed scrutiny of the way the two countries portray each other in security-related matters.
For now, the alleged sabotage plan remains largely unexplained in the information made public by Algerian authorities. Further details about the suspects, the evidence collected and the alleged targets would be needed to clarify the case.
Leave a comment