Morocco detains suspects for inciting mass migration toward Ceuta and Melilla
The Ministry of the Interior said social media calls circulated for collective crossings on 15 August and suspects are under judicial investigation.
Morocco has detained a group of people suspected of encouraging new attempts at illegal crossings into the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, the Ministry of the Interior announced. The ministry said calls circulated on social media urging a mass crossing on 15 August.
According to the Ministry of the Interior, anonymous posts and messages were monitored in recent days calling for coordinated attempts to enter the two enclaves. The ministry said the aim of those calls was to exploit the migration issue to promote actions that are punishable under Moroccan law.
Authorities say they intervened to block crossings
The ministry added that authorities have taken all necessary measures to prevent illegal crossings and to intercept people who try to take part in them. It also said legal steps will be pursued against those who promote such calls online.
Officials did not provide a count of how many people were arrested or specify the exact dates when the arrests took place. The statement only said a group suspected of incitement was detained and placed under judicial investigation under the supervision of the competent public prosecutor.
The case highlights continuing tensions around migration at the borders of Ceuta and Melilla, the Spanish-controlled cities on Morocco's Mediterranean coast, where authorities on both sides have repeatedly faced mass attempts to cross in recent years.
Photo: ДПА)
