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| North Africa |
| Morocco Arrests Suicide Attack Suspect |
| 2003-06-03 |
| Moroccan police arrested a French citizen wanted in connection with the May suicide attacks in Casablanca that killed 31 bystanders, security officials said. Robert Richard Antoine Pierre was arrested in the northern city of Tangiers, where he had been living with his Moroccan wife, the officials said. Pierre, 28, is the first foreigner implicated in the series of five nearly simultaneous suicide attacks on May 16 that targeted Jewish and Spanish sites in Morocco's economic capital, as well as a major hotel. Moroccan authorities have said they are certain that an international terror network was behind the attacks, which came four days after bombings at foreign housing compounds in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, that killed 35 people, including nine attackers. Pierre, also known as ``Lhaj'' and as ``Abou Abderrahmane,'' was described as ``armed and dangerous'' in wanted posters issued by authorities. You knew he had to have an islamic name, didn't you? The circumstances of his arrest were not immediately made public. Somebody talked |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #3 More details: Police had begun searching for the French man after several other suspects pointed to him, claiming he gave orders in the bombings, officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Pierre converted to Islam and had been living in Tangiers since 1996. Authorities believe he traveled frequently and made several trips to Afghanistan, officials said. Public 2M television said he often went to France, Germany, Belgium and Spain to buy cars that he sold in Morocco. Officials contend Pierre was in contact with Abdelwaheb Rafiki, also known as Abou Hafs, a Moroccan Islamic cleric known for his fiery sermons and anti-Western views. |
| Posted by: Steve 2003-06-03 11:29:46 |
| #2 Update: Moroccan authorities Tuesday arrested a French citizen suspected of being one of the main coordinators and financiers of the May 16 Casablanca bombings. Pierre has traveled to Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia and France. Authorities learned of his alleged involvement in the Casablanca bombings from some of the 16 people arrested and charged in the attacks. |
| Posted by: Steve 2003-06-03 11:15:17 |
| #1 "A French citizen". Where is the outrage from Le Monde? I am afraid this is a preview for France of their own future. What happens when you coddle terrorists? Terrorism. |
| Posted by: ColoradoConservative 2003-06-03 10:42:21 |