In a significant development that has escalated tensions between Algeria and Morocco, Algerian authorities announced the arrest of 61 Moroccan nationals who are accused of orchestrating acts of sabotage. This operation was executed by the General Directorate of National Security (DGSN) in Oran, and it has drawn considerable scrutiny due to the lack of publicly available evidence supporting these serious allegations. The arrests come at a time when diplomatic relations between the two nations are at a historic low.
According to the DGSN, the suspects were part of what has been described as a 'Moroccan international criminal network' allegedly involved in activities that threaten public security and order. The arrests took place in early October, with reports indicating that some individuals in the group included former members of the Moroccan military. The suspects reportedly traveled to Tunisia before entering Algeria through clandestine routes in the mountainous and forested areas near El Kala, close to the Tunisian border, before making their way to Oran.
Authorities disclosed that they seized Moroccan passports along with various amounts of currency in Moroccan dirhams and euros from the detained individuals. Following their arrest, the suspects were presented to prosecutors at a specialized criminal court in Oran. However, the official communication from the Algerian authorities notably failed to specify the intended targets of the alleged sabotage or to provide details on the nature of the planned acts. Furthermore, there was no mention of any weapons or explosives being seized during the operation. A local independent news outlet, Le Matin d’Algérie, echoed these concerns, highlighting the absence of substantial details regarding the accusations and the material evidence backing them.
Chawki Benzehra, an Algerian opposition activist, criticized the arrests, suggesting they reflect a recurring strategy by the authorities to invoke Morocco in times of domestic or diplomatic strain. He expressed skepticism regarding the narrative presented by the police, arguing that the scale of the arrests seems intentionally provocative, likely aiming to elicit an official response from Morocco. It is important to note that Benzehra's assertions are his personal political interpretation of the situation and have not been independently verified.
This incident occurs against the backdrop of ongoing diplomatic friction between Morocco and Algeria, which severed diplomatic ties in 2021. In 2024, Algeria reinstated visa requirements for Moroccan nationals, asserting that Morocco was misusing visa-free travel for illicit activities. Morocco has firmly denied these allegations. Furthermore, the timing of this case coincides with an impending UN Security Council vote concerning Western Sahara, a significant point of contention between the two countries.
As reported by en.hespress.com.
