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3 More Held in Killing of Tourists in Morocco; Denmark Denounces ‘Act of Terror’ 3 More Held in Killing of Tourists in Morocco; Denmark Denounces ‘Act of Terror’
(about 1 hour later)
The authorities in Morocco said on Thursday that three more suspects had been arrested in the killings of two Scandinavian tourists in the Atlas Mountains, in what Danish officials said might be an act of terror linked to the Islamic State. COPENHAGEN — The authorities in Morocco said on Thursday that three more suspects had been arrested in the killings of two Scandinavian tourists in the Atlas Mountains, in what Danish officials suggested was an act of terror linked to the Islamic State.
The Central Office of Judicial Research in Morocco said in a statement that the three suspects had been detained in Marrakesh. Another man, who was arrested on Tuesday, is suspected of having extremist affiliations, The Associated Press reported Moroccan prosecutors as saying. The Central Office of Judicial Research in Morocco said in a statement that the three suspects had been detained in Marrakesh. Another suspect arrested on Tuesday was thought to have extremist ties, Moroccan prosecutors told local news outlets without providing further details.
The victims have been identified as Louisa Vesterager Jespersen, 24, of Denmark and Maren Ueland, 28, of Norway. The authorities said that the bodies of the victims, Louisa Vesterager Jespersen, 24, of Denmark and Maren Ueland, 28, of Norway, were found on Monday by other tourists in an isolated area of the High Atlas Mountains, an area popular with hikers and six miles from the village of Imlil. Both women had been studying at the same school in Norway to become tour guides.
The authorities said their bodies were found on Monday by other tourists in an isolated area of the High Atlas Mountains, an area popular with hikers, six miles from the village of Imlil. It is often the starting point for treks to Mount Toubkal, North Africa’s highest peak. Prime Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen of Denmark said on Thursday that the killings were considered “politically motivated, and thereby an act of terror.” He added that “there are still dark forces that want to fight our values” and that “we must not give in.”
The killings can be considered “politically motivated, and thus an act of terror,” Prime Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen of Denmark said on Thursday. He added that “there are still dark forces that want to fight our values” and that “we must not give in,” according to The A.P. “What should have been a holiday trip turned into a nightmare,” Mr. Rasmussen said. He vowed to do everything possible to solve the crime.
“What should have been a holiday trip turned into a nightmare,” Mr. Rasmussen told reporters in Denmark. A video posted on social media purported to show one of the victims screaming while a man cut her neck with a knife. The Danish Security and Intelligence Service said it had authenticated the video.
A video posted on social media purports to show one of the victims screaming while a man cut her neck with a knife, but preliminary investigations found that it had been shot in a different place from where the bodies were found, Reuters reported. In the statement, the intelligence service said it was an “unusually gruesome” case: “The video and preliminary investigation according to the Moroccan authorities indicate that the killings may be related to the terrorist organization Islamic State.”
Denmark’s domestic security agency said in a statement, “The video and preliminary investigation according to the Moroccan authorities indicate that the killings may be related to the terrorist organization Islamic State.” It added, “This is a case of an unusually bestial killing of two totally innocent young women.” The National Criminal Investigation Service in Norway said it was trying to have the video removed from websites.
Prime Minister Erna Solberg of Norway called the slayings “a brutal and meaningless attack on innocent people,” adding that the case “emphasizes the importance of combating violent extremism.” Prime Minister Erna Solberg of Norway called the killings “a senseless attack,” adding that the case “emphasizes the importance of combating violent extremism.” She said that Norway would assist the Moroccan authorities in their investigation.
The killings have shocked Morocco, a popular tourist destination where attacks on foreigners are extremely rare. But the country has battled Islamic extremism for years, and thousands of Moroccans have joined the Islamic State group, according to The A.P. The deaths have shocked Morocco, a popular tourist destination where attacks on foreigners are extremely rare. But the country has battled Islamic extremism for years, and thousands of Moroccans have joined the Islamic State group, according to The Associated Press. The last terrorist attack happened in Marrakesh in 2011, when a bomb attack in a cafe killed 17 people, including 11 Europeans.
One victim’s mother, Irene Ueland, told the Norwegian broadcaster NRK that her daughter had taken safety precautions before the trip. Ms. Ueland’s mother, Irene Ueland, was quoted in a regional newspaper as describing the recent killings as “pure madness.”
Before leaving, Ms. Jespersen posted on Facebook about her coming trip: “Dear friends, I’m going to Morocco in December. Any of you guys who’s around by then or any mountain friends who knows something about Mount Toubkal?” Before leaving, Ms. Jespersen wrote a post on Nov. 21 on Facebook about her coming trip: “Dear friends, I’m going to Morocco in December. Any of you guys who’s around by then or any mountain friends who knows something about Mount Toubkal?”
According to Moroccan media outlets, investigators recovered surveillance footage showing three suspects putting up a tent near the victims’ tent and leaving the area after their deaths. The site where the bodies were found is often the starting point for treks to Mount Toubkal, North Africa’s highest peak.
Ms. Jespersen’s family told Danish news media that she had traveled to Morocco on Dec. 8 to celebrate Christmas and to practice climbing with her Norwegian friend. Since the age of 18, her relatives said, she had a habit of traveling for the holiday.
On their last phone call before the trip, Ms. Jespersen told her mother, Helle Jespersen, who lives in Grindsted, west of Copenhagen, that she was excited and busy with exams at the Norwegian school where she was studying to become a tour guide.
“She was always happy and positive,” he mother said in interviews with Danish news outlets. “Everybody got along with her and she made everybody their best.” She added, “You would have to prove it to her if she was to believe in evil.”
According to Moroccan news reports, investigators recovered surveillance footage showing three suspects putting up a tent near the victims’ tent and leaving the area after their deaths.