During a press conference in Agadir to enlighten the public opinion on these acts of violence, vandalism and arson at the Royal Gendarmerie premise in Leqliaa, Fettah emphasized that the appropriate legal consequences will take in light following the investigation’s results.
While ensuring that individuals’ freedoms are exercised within the framework of legal provisions, the prosecutor’s office remains firmly committed to dealing decisively with any violation of the law or infringement of citizens’ rights and freedoms, he said.
He recalled that during the protests in Agadir and its surroundings on Wednesday, a group of individuals of various ages gathered in the center of the town of Leqliaa, where a series of illegal acts and disturbances were reported among the crowd, the majority of whom were minors armed with knives, sticks, and stones, causing material damage to several privately-owned vehicles and a passenger bus.
They also damaged the facades of several shops and blocked public roads with dumpsters, the King’s Prosecutor said, adding that subsequently, loud calls among the 200 rioters encouraged them to head towards the Royal Gendarmerie headquarters in Leqliaa.
During this press briefing, marked by the screening of a video recounting the events in question, the seriousness and dangerous nature of the attacks and acts committed by the individuals concerned were highlighted. Fettah said that in order to preserve public safety and order, a protection system had been put in place within the center and its surroundings, given that the center contains a stockpile of various weapons and ammunition.
He added that the crowd then set fire to the deputy commander’s office through the rear window and the main door of the center, adding that fire extinguishers were used twice but the troublemakers persisted, causing significant material damage to the premise after destroying equipment, including a surveillance camera installed at the door, while the main door was destroyed, in addition to other equipment that was completely damaged.
Against this situation, the Royal Gendarmerie officers used tear gas to disperse the troublemakers and remove them from the premise, but to no avail, he said.
The situation worsened when the crowd intensified their assault, forcibly tore down the garage door, and drove a 4×4 vehicle out of the Royal Gendarmerie center in Leqliaa, before seizing five motorcycles, which they set on fire in the middle of the public road. They then surrounded the center. Eight members of the Royal Gendarmerie were injured, three seriously and five to lesser degrees, he said.
Faced with the danger threatening the premise and those present, several warning shots were fired into the air, which had no effect on the aggressiveness of the gathered individuals, according to the same source, who added that the wives of the Royal Gendarmerie personnel in Leqliaa shouted from their official residences to alert that they were under attack by the crowd, while two civilian cars belonging to the center’s personnel were damaged, proving that the individuals in question were organized in their attack and determined to target the premise.
Following the attempt by these individuals to seize ammunition, equipment, and service weapons, the Royal Gendarmerie officers were compelled to use their service weapons, in line with the legal provisions in force, to deter them, in self-defense, to preserve public order and security, and to ensure the protection of persons and public and private property, he said, adding that this security intervention resulted in three deaths and several injuries.
Editorial team/le7tv