Rabat : The police arrest a man who broke into the Hassan mosque holding two knives

During the Friday prayer, a man with two knives has broken into the Hassan mosque in Rabat, reports Telquel. The prayer was broadcasted by national TV channel Al Oula, showing the frightening scene when the man interrupted the sermon.

A communiqué issued today by the General Directorate of National Security confirms the arrest, stating that the 29-year-old man with apparent signs of mental disorder has forced his way into the mosque holding two knives.

Incident à la mosquée Hassan de Rabat transmis en direct par la RTM pic.twitter.com/3m71SZ9Ye2

— B_M (@B_Maroc) 4 mai 2018

A security source told Telquel that «man entered the shortly before the beginning of the prayer, holding a knife, before being stopped by other worshippers and handed over to the police station next to the mosque».

An investigation was opened under the supervision of the prosecutor’s office to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.