Moroccan protesters clashed with security forces on Wednesday in Jerada suburbs, leading to the injury of a number of police officers and the detention of nine.
“Despite the decision issued by the local authorities of the province of Jerada on the ban of all unauthorized protests and gatherings, a group of individuals staged, in violation of this decision, a sit-in on the edge of abandoned wells near Al Fath High School, during which some hooded individuals provoked the public forces and threw stones at them," the prefecture of Jerada said.
"These forces were forced to intervene, in coordination with the competent prosecutor’s office, to disperse this demonstration,” the source pointed out in a statement.
"These violent acts caused injuries among public forces, including serious injuries, which required their evacuation to the University Hospital Center (CHU) of the city of Oujda," the source added.
Protesters also burned five police cars and caused extensive damage to vehicles and equipment used by the same forces. Nine people were arrested following the events, the statement said, adding that they will be brought to justice.
Public forces will maintain measures aimed at protecting the security and public order, while showing restraint and self-control so as not to give in to provocations and scrupulously respecting the law, the statement continued.
In the same context, the Moroccan Interior Ministry said, Thursday, that relevant judicial authorities were notified about the incidents in order to open an investigation to evaluate Facebook photos claiming to depict violent injuries caused by law enforcement in the Jerada province.
The ministry affirmed that given the danger of these acts and claims, that might delude the public opinion, relevant judicial authorities were notified to investigate the identity of those involved in promoting these claims and to prosecute them.
