Benmoussa links Belliraj terror cell to al-Qaeda

06/03/2008

Moroccan Interior Minister Chakib Benmoussa told a House of Advisors committee on Wednesday (March 5th) there was evidence that the recently dismantled Belliraj terror group was linked to al-Qaeda. Local media had speculated that the February arrest of teachers, political party leaders, and a journalist was a political showdown rather than a true anti-terror effort.

Benmoussa stressed that under the leadership of dual Moroccan-Belgian citizen Abdelkader Belliraj the group had been planning to assassinate ministers, high-ranking army officials and Moroccan Jews. He also said police had discovered caches of arms and ammunitions in Casablanca and Nador that belonged to the group.

Benmoussa said that in revealing details about the group, he did not intend to influence court proceedings but rather "to inform the public and raise their awareness of the dangers that threaten the country."