afrol News, 14 July - Ten so-called Islamists have been sentenced to death in Morocco in relation to the 16 May terrorist attack on the city of Casablanca. The ten, and another eleven sentenced, were said to belong to the same Islamist group.

The Appeals Court of Casablanca - the economic capital of Morocco - has ordered the capital punishment for ten alleged members of a radical Muslim group. The group is supposed to have planned and executed the terrorist attacks on the city, killing 40 civilians.

Another group of 21 persons was believed to be member of the same group and therefore given harsh prison sentences. Sentences spanned from 12 months to life time.

According to the court's verdict, all the accused and sentenced belonged to the so-called radical group 'Salafia Jihadia'. All the sentenced were to remain in the prison they had staid since detention.

Although the 'Salafia Jihadia' group was said to have planned the Casablanca attacks, none of those sentenced were accused to have participated directly in the act of terrorism.

The ten receiving a death sentence included Yussef Fikri, Mohamed Damir, Saleh Zarli, Abderrazak Faouzi, Kamal Hanuichi, Bouchaib Guermach, Lakbir Kutubi, Buchaib Mghader, Omar Maaruf and Laarbi Daqiq.

After the verdict was read, however, the lawyers of the ten sentenced to death declared that their clients had not received a proper judicial treatment. They claimed there had been "irregularities" and that preparations for an appeal therefore would be made immediately.

According to Moroccan government sources, the 'Salafia Jihadia' group is the main responsible behind the five bombs exploding in Casablanca on 16 May. Although no proof had been presented in the trial, authorities believed the ten receiving death penalties had been the leaders of the so-called extremist group.

Meanwhile, Moroccan authorities are trying to play down the attention on the terrorist attack and its aftermath, especially thinking of the negative consequences this could have on tourism to the country. The government maintains that arrivals this year will hit a new record.

According to Mohamed Berrada, Director-General of Royal Air Maroc, the terrorist attack so far have not directly influenced the flight volume between Morocco and Europe. In an interview with the daily 'USA Today', Mr Berrada held that European tourists were faithful to Morocco and were aware that "terrorism is a problem of an international dimension."

The maintenance of tourism has been seen as a major effort of Moroccan authorities after the attacks. The tourism sector is the greatest employer in the country and the Casablanca attacks seemed to be especially focused at hurting Morocco's tourism industry, thereby hurting its economic and political stability.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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