Bomb arrests
May 6, 2011
Morocco's official news agency said Friday that three suspects have been arrested in connection with the deadly café bombing on April 28 that killed 16 people and injured 21 others, most of whom were foreigners.
The agency quoted the Interior Ministry as saying the chief suspect was "well-versed in jihadi ideology" and showed "loyalty to al Qaeda." The man is alleged to have built and planted two bombs in a popular café in downtown Marrakech, Morocco's main tourist destination.
The blasts were the first such attack in Morocco since coordinated suicide bombings in the commercial capital, Casablanca, in 2003. They add to the challenges facing King Mohammed VI at a time when he is trying to prevent uprisings similar to those elsewhere in northern Africa and the Arab world.
Anti-government demonstrations
Western security experts said the aim of the attack was most likely to damage the tourism industry on which Morocco depends.
The kingdom is usually seen as a haven of stability in a volatile region, but it has faced demonstrations in recent weeks demanding a change of government and greater democratic freedoms.
In response, the government has offered a public sector pay rise, reform of the constitution and greater independence for the judiciary.
Protesters have accused the government of trying to use the bomb attack to raise fears of instability and dissuade people from taking to the streets.
Author: Gabriel Borrud (Reuters, AFP)
Editor: Martin Kuebler