Morocco arrests more suspects over murder of female Scandinavian tourists

Morocco has arrested nine more individuals following the murder of two Scandinavian female tourists amid suspected Daesh involvement.

The arrests were announced Friday by police officials in capital Rabat following earlier arrest of four other suspects over the stabbing to death of 24-year-old Danish tourist Louisa Vesterager Jespersen, and 28-year-old Norwegian, Maren Ueland.

The bodies of both victims were found on Monday in the North African country’s southwestern Atlas Mountains with knife wounds on their necks.

The two were reportedly killed on the way to North Africa’s highest mountain peak of Toubkal, which is a popular hiking destination. Press reports have cited a source in the nearby village of Imlil as saying that one of the two hikers was found dead inside their tent and the body of the other was discovered outside.

Morocco’s Central Bureau for Judicial Investigations further announced that the latest arrests were made in various cities across the country due to their suspected ties to the suspected killers.

According to the bureau, their agents also discovered electronic devices, unauthorized hunting rifles, knives and other materials that could be used for bomb-making during the raids.

Authorities have further announced that the four individuals arrested earlier over the killings had pledged allegiance to the ISIL terror group in a video posted on social media prior to the stabbing incident.

Meanwhile in Norway, police authorities said the video apparently showing the beheading of one of the women seemed genuine. The video was shared on social media by supporters of Daesh.

Norway’s National Crime Investigation Service further announced in a statement issued earlier on Friday that more technical analysis of the video was essential.

“We still believe, however, that we have grounds to say that so far, there is nothing concrete to show that this video is not real,” added the statement.

Police authorities in Denmark also said they were still analyzing the video, as Moroccan officials underlined on Thursday that they working on authenticating it.

Meanwhile, local press reports in Norway reported later on Friday that people planned to march with torches through the city of Bryne, the coastal hometown of Maren Ueland, to express solidarity with her family.

Another gathering was scheduled for Saturday outside the Norwegian Embassy in Rabat to show sympathy for the families of the victims and to condemn terrorism.

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