Morocco: Hizb Ut-Tahrir Trial Begins In Casablanca

The trial of three young men affiliated with the Islamist Hizb ut-Tahrir began May 29th in Ain Sebâa, Casablanca. The National Brigade of the Judicial Police (BNJP) arrested alleged cell leader Thami Najim – a Moroccan computer engineer who holds Danish citizenship – last February, along with co-defendants Fouad Said and Mounir Darouri. Several documents, leaflets and CDs promoting the ideology of Hizb ut-Tahrir were seized during the arrests.

"Elements from the BNJP managed to dismantle a cell of the so-called Hizb ut-Tahrir which is classified as a saboteur group with international dimensions,” the interior ministry said.

The communiqué accused the three of planning to undermine "the country’s security and stability by recruiting the biggest possible number of supporters”, adding they received financial support from Europe to promote "their nihilist ideology via the distribution of leaflets in which they cast doubts on the efficacy of democracy and incite commotion”.

The defendants are charged as per chapter 201 of the penal code, which states that those who are guilty of breaching the internal security of the state shall be punished, and perpetrators of attacks aimed at provoking civil war by arming or encouraging a group of citizens to arm themselves shall be put to death. (...)