Turkish authorities repatriate Moroccan national over Islamic State-links
Turkey has deported a terror suspect back to Morocco as part of its strategy to repatriate all suspects with terror links to their countries of origin.
Anadolu Agency reported on Monday, December 16, that the Turkish Ministry of Interior announced the deportation of a Moroccan national as part of Turkey’s “efforts to repatriate foreign terrorist fighters.”
Turkey, according to the agency, said that some European countries resisted its strategy to send ISIS members back to their countries of origin.
“It will nevertheless press forward,” the news outlet added.
The Turkish government deported 7,500 members with links to ISIS to their countries, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has said.
Morocco, considered a leader in counterterrorism, has been intensifying efforts to abort any terror-related threats across the country. It also helps its international partners through sharing expertise in the field.
In October, spokesman of the General Directorate of National Security (DGSN) Boubker Sabik said that more than 740 Moroccan ISIS fighters have died in conflict zones, including 657 in Syria. He added that the rest of the fighters were killed in conflict zones in Iraq.
The DGSN spokesperson emphasized that 1,659 Moroccan fighters were operating in the Syrian-Iraqi conflict zones.
“The number of returnees from conflict zones reached 260 people.”
The ISIS suspects face charges after an intensive investigation by Morocco’s Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ).
Terror defendants receive sentences ranging from 10 to 20 years in prison.
However, they also benefit from the “moussalaha” (reconciliation program), aiming to reintegrate prisoners into society. Morocco introduced the program in 2018. The government has eminent trust on the program.
The program seeks to counter violent extremism through strict security measures, regional cooperation, intelligence sharing, the promotion of moderate Islam, and democratic reform.
Despite the terror threats, Morocco is considered one of the top safest countries across the world, according to the 2019 Global Terror Index.
According to the report, Morocco is safer than many international powers, including the US, the UK, Canada, and France.
Morocco is also safer than neighboring countries in the index, such as Algeria, and Tunisia.
Source: Morocco World News
