Ex-Dutch counterterrorism employee acquitted of spying for Morocco

A Rotterdam court on Wednesday acquitted Abderrahim El M., a former employee of the Netherlands’ National Coordinator for Counterterrorism and Security (NCTV), of leaking information to Moroccan intelligence services. However, he was sentenced to 20 months in prison for unlawfully possessing classified state documents. Dutch prosecutors had sought a 12-year prison sentence for the 66-year-old, who is of Moroccan origin, on suspicion of espionage. The court found the evidence insufficient

Algiers forum supporting Polisario draws fewer participants

The South African embassy in Algiers hosted a new edition of the «diplomatic forum» on Tuesday, March 10, aimed at rallying support for the Polisario Front. The gathering brought together «fourteen representatives» from African and South American countries that recognize the «Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR),» according to media close to the movement. This year’s meeting was held over a single day, unlike previous editions such as the 2025

The UN Special Rapporteur on torture is expected in Rabat and Laayoune

At the invitation of the Moroccan government, Alice Jill Edwards, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, will conduct an official visit to Morocco from March 23 to April 2, 2026, the UN Human Rights Council announced in a statement. As part of her itinerary, Edwards is scheduled to hold a meeting with representatives of Moroccan civil society in Rabat on March 27. She will then travel to Laayoune, where she is expected to meet with

FC Barcelona eyes Moroccan talent Yassine Gessime

FC Barcelona are reportedly interested in signing Moroccan talent Yassine Gessime, who currently plays for French club Strasbourg and was part of the Morocco U-23 team that won the Youth World Cup. According to the Catalan newspaper Sport, the club continues to follow its strategy of identifying promising young players ahead of Europe’s major clubs as the transfer market approaches. The player’s agent, Hervé Kross, confirmed the interest, saying that while Barcelona have

Indonesian national arrested in Marrakech under international warrant for financial crimes

Police in Marrakech arrested, Tuesday, a 63-year-old Indonesian national who was the subject of an international arrest warrant issued by authorities in his home country. According to a security source, the suspect was apprehended in Marrakech after a check of the Interpol database revealed he was the subject of a red notice issued at the request of the National Central Bureau in Jakarta. He is suspected of involvement in financial corruption and large-scale financial manipulation in

Real Madrid youngster Thiago Pitarch at center of Morocco-Spain tug-of-war

Thiago Pitarch, the 18-year-old Real Madrid midfielder, has quickly emerged as one of the club’s most promising young talents after being included in the starting lineup in the team’s last two matches The Spanish Football Federation has already included him in its youth national teams. He represented Spain at the Under-20 World Cup and established himself as a regular presence in midfield. At the same time, Spanish media report that the Royal Moroccan Football Federation is closely

France’s ambassador to Morocco appointed head of French Development Agency

Christophe Lecourtier, currently France’s ambassador to Morocco, was appointed on Tuesday, March 10, to head the French Development Agency (AFD), according to Le Monde. His appointment, approved by the executive branch, still requires parliamentary approval. The AFD is considered one of France’s main instruments of international influence. President Emmanuel Macron selected the diplomat to succeed Rémy Rioux, who has held the position since 2016 and whose term will end on

Casablanca police arrest six suspects in sports-related violence case

In the early hours of Wednesday, March 11, police officers in the Moulay Rachid district of Casablanca arrested six individuals suspected of involvement in sports-related violence and causing damage to private property. According to a security source, Casablanca police were alerted to a group of individuals, believed to be affiliated with local football supporter groups, who were engaging in violent clashes using bladed weapons and flares. The group also damaged cars parked along a public

Morocco's Nayef Aguerd to undergo surgery for severe sports hernia

France’s Ligue 1 club Olympique de Marseille announced that Moroccan international Nayef Aguerd will undergo surgery on Thursday to treat a chronic sports hernia. In a statement, the club said the Moroccan defender has continued to play in recent weeks despite persistent pain and discomfort, which have recently become increasingly severe. Despite undergoing conservative treatment, the club’s medical staff determined that, given the progression of his condition, surgery had become

Appeal sends 18 Senegalese fans back to court in Rabat

The 18 Senegalese fans sentenced for hooliganism during the Africa Cup of Nations final in Morocco will have to return to court after the public prosecutor and the civil parties appealed the initial ruling. The defendants are now scheduled to appear at a hearing in Rabat on March 16, according to France 24. On February 19, a Rabat court sentenced the 18 Senegalese supporters to prison terms ranging from three months to one year in a first-instance ruling. They were convicted on

Driver sentenced after crash that killed four Moroccan police officers

The Court of First Instance in Sidi Ifni has convicted a bus driver employed by a private company responsible for transporting security personnel following a fatal road accident that occurred on Saturday, February 21, on the road linking Sidi Ifni and Tiznit. The crash left four police officers dead and several others injured, some seriously. The court sentenced the driver to four months in prison, imposed a fine of 4,000 dirhams, and suspended his driving license for one year. He was

Fez police arrest suspects for reckless motorcycle riding and weapon possession

Police in Fez arrested two individuals on Tuesday on suspicion of possessing a bladed weapon and riding a motorcycle recklessly on a public road, endangering other road users. According to the Fez Security Directorate, the suspects were identified after a video circulating on social media showed them riding dangerously through one of the city’s streets, with one of them carrying a bladed weapon under circumstances that threatened the safety of people and property. Investigations

Moroccan police again deny child abduction rumors circulating online

Morocco’s General Directorate of National Security (DGSN) has denied claims circulating on social media about alleged child abduction attempts, describing them as misleading rumors based on distorted or false information. In a statement issued on March 10, 2026, the security services said the rumors stem from three separate incidents that were misrepresented online. The first concerns an audio recording circulated in Tangier, involving a woman who regularly stood near a school asking for

Eid al-Fitr 2026 confirmed for March 20 by CFCM with Zakat al-Fitr set at 9 euros

The French Council of the Muslim Faith (CFCM) announced that, based on astronomical calculations, the conjunction of the new moon marking the beginning of Shawwal 1447 AH will occur on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 01:23 (UTC). Given the favorable conditions for sighting the lunar crescent, the council confirmed that Eid al-Fitr 1447 AH will be celebrated on Friday, March 20, 2026. This year, the end-of-Ramadan charity (Zakat al-Fitr) has been set at 9 euros per person. Determined according to

Body of missing child found in Zagora canal ten days after disappearance

This Tuesday morning, the lifeless body of young Younes Al Alaoui was discovered in a canal within the Tadsi area, part of the Beni Zouli commune in Zagora province, ten days after he went missing. Media sources report that the grim discovery was made by a local authority official. The one-year-old was found fully clothed, with no visible signs of violence on his body. The Royal Gendarmerie promptly launched an initial investigation at the scene, under the guidance of the public prosecutor's

FC Barcelona considers signing Moroccan star Abdessamad Ezzalzouli

FC Barcelona is considering the possibility of signing Moroccan international Abdessamad Ezzalzouli to strengthen its attacking line ahead of next season, Spanish sports daily Marca reported on Tuesday. According to the newspaper, the Catalan club’s priority remains activating the purchase option for Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford, reportedly valued at around €30 million. However, Barcelona’s sporting management is closely monitoring the situation of the Atlas

Morocco Foreign Minister holds talks with French counterpart in Paris

Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, held talks on Tuesday in Paris with Jean-Noël Barrot, France’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Second World Nuclear Energy Summit, where Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch represented King Mohammed VI. Discussions focused on bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of common interest.

55-year-old Moroccan dies after being hit by car in Italy

A 55-year-old Moroccan man died on Monday after being hit by a car between the municipalities of Gioia Tauro and Taurianova in southern Italy, local media reported. Emergency services responded to the scene, but the victim succumbed to his injuries. Authorities have opened an investigation to determine the circumstances of the accident and are working to contact the victim’s family.