Agadir: The Agadir Court has launched an investigation into the recent assault on the Royal Gendarmerie premise in Leqliaa, as announced during a press conference aimed at informing the public about the acts of violence, vandalism, and arson that took place. Fettah, speaking at the conference, emphasized that appropriate legal consequences will be determined following the investigation’s results.

According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, the prosecutor’s office is committed to ensuring that individuals’ freedoms are exercised within legal boundaries and will decisively address any violations of the law or infringements on citizens’ rights and freedoms. During protests in Agadir and its surroundings on Wednesday, a group of individuals, primarily minors armed with knives, sticks, and stones, gathered in the center of Leqliaa. They caused material damage to several privately-owned vehicles, a passenger bus, shop facades, and blocked public roads with dumpsters.

The King’s Prosecutor detailed that the rioters, numbering around 200, moved towards the Royal Gendarmerie headquarters in Leqliaa after encouragement from loud calls within the crowd. The press briefing included a video highlighting the seriousness of the attacks. Fettah noted that a protection system was established to safeguard the center, which houses weapons and ammunition.

The rioters set fire to the deputy commander’s office and the main door, causing significant damage to the premise, including the destruction of surveillance equipment. Despite the use of tear gas by the Royal Gendarmerie officers, the crowd intensified their assault, forcibly entering the premises, driving a 4×4 vehicle out, seizing five motorcycles, and setting them on fire. Eight officers were injured, with three sustaining serious injuries.

The situation escalated as warning shots fired into the air failed to deter the crowd. The wives of Royal Gendarmerie personnel alerted that they were under attack, and two civilian cars belonging to the personnel were damaged. The attackers attempted to seize ammunition and weapons, prompting the officers to use their service weapons in self-defense and to protect public and private property. This intervention resulted in three deaths and several injuries.