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9 Terrorists Escape From Moroccan Prison

Militants were guilty of 2003 Casablanca bombings

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 7, 2008 6:45 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Nine Moroccan terrorists convicted of involvement in the 2003 Casablanca suicide bombings escaped from prison today, AFP reports. The men, Islamist extremists who were serving 20 years to life, tunneled out of Kenitra detention center, near Rabat. They left a note explaining that, having exhausted the appeals process, they resorted to extreme measures to gain their freedom.

"We assume responsibility for our actions and there should be no search for accomplices among detainees or in the prison administration," said the note. The Casablanca bombings killed 45 people in the deadliest suicide attack ever in Morocco.

Moroccan Saad Houssaini (C, in white), accused of allegedly fabricating explosives used in the May 2003 blasts in Casablanca leaves the court escorted by police in Sale, near Rabat, on April 3, 2008.
Moroccan Saad Houssaini (C, in white), accused of allegedly fabricating explosives used in the May 2003 blasts in Casablanca leaves the court escorted by police in Sale, near Rabat, on April 3, 2008.   ((Abdelhak Senna/AFP/Getty Images))
Rabat can be seen in this map of Morocco.
Rabat can be seen in this map of Morocco.   (Wikimedia Commons)
Moroccan Saad Houssaini (C), accused of concocting the explosives used in attacks on Casablanca in 2003 and Madrid the following year, arrives at the court in Sale, close to Rabat on April 3, 2008.
Moroccan Saad Houssaini (C), accused of concocting the explosives used in attacks on Casablanca in 2003 and Madrid the following year, arrives at the court in Sale, close to Rabat on April 3, 2008.   ((Abdelhak Senna/AFP/Getty Images))
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Prisoners wanted 'political' status to gain better detention conditions
Telegraph (UK)

Islamist prisoners' escape coincided with a countrywide hunger strike
New York Times

 
terrorism • prison • Morocco • suicide bombing • Casablanca • escape • escaped criminal • Islamist extremists • Islamic terrorism

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