Morocco: One of IS sympathizers deported from France planned attacks against security forces

One of the two Moroccan citizens recently deported from France had plans to perpetrate terrorist attacks in Morocco, the Interior Ministry announced on Thursday.

France deported the two Moroccans on August 26 because they constitute a threat to the country’s security.

Investigation undertaken by Morocco’s powerful Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ) revealed that one of the men was recruited by a top commander of the Islamic State group operating in Iraq and Syria, the ministry indicated.

The man, planning to join one if the IS group’s camps, was tasked to perpetrate Nice style attacks in France. He reportedly identified targets; mainly sites frequented at weekends, and was to coordinate attacks using a car, weapons and setting fire in order to make many victims.

The man had also planned to join a wide campaign fomented by IS militants to perpetrate terror attacks in Morocco. The campaign, according to the Interior Ministry, targeted key sectors and security forces establishments in a move to fight back Moroccan security forces’ campaign against IS militants in the North African country and overseas.

The two deportees will be indicted and sent before court as soon as the investigation is over, the Ministry said.