Rabat: In a statement to the press on Wednesday in Rabat, the official indicated that some forms of protests have seen serious escalation that threatened public safety and order, after these protests turned into violent crowding involving usage of bladed weapons, molotov cocktails, and stone throwing by a group of people.

According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, this resulted in 263 injuries of varying degrees among law enforcement forces until yesterday evening, and 23 other people, including an individual requiring medical follow-up in Oujda. Multiple fires broke out and 142 law-enforcement vehicles were seriously damaged as well as 20 private others.

El Khalfi stated that protestors broke in several administrations, institutions, banks, and commercial premises, which were pillaged and destroyed in At Amira, Chtouka At Baha province, the Inezgane-At Melloul province, Agadir-Ida Outanane, Tiznit, and Oujda.

Even more seriously, in Oujda, some protesters blocked the passage of a Civil Protection ambulance that was meant to provide assistance and evacuate the injured, he added.

Here follows the details of the above incidents:

– Inezgane-At Melloul Prefecture: 69 law enforcement officers were injured; three service vehicles and four private cars were damaged, in addition to damage caused to three bank agencies, one insurance agency, one pharmacy, and several shops.

– Oujda Prefecture: 51 law enforcement officers injured; 40 cars and two shops damaged.

– Skhirat-Temara Prefecture: 44 law enforcement officers injured; 47 service vehicles and 13 private cars damaged.

– Beni Mellal Province: 28 officers injured; 7 vehicles damaged.

– Errachidia Province: 13 officers injured; 8 vehicles damaged.

– Berkane Province: 10 officers injured; 12 vehicles damaged.

– Tiznit Province: 8 officers injured; one private car damaged.

– Kenitra: 8 officers injured.

– Province of Chtouka At Baha: 5 officers injured; 12 law enforcement vehicles and a private one damaged.

– Rabat Prefecture: 5 officers injured.

– Province of Guelmim: 5 officers injured; 1 vehicle damaged.

– Province of Nador: 4 officers injured; 10 law enforcement vehicles damaged.

– Province of Khenifra: 4 officers injured.

– Meknes Prefecture: 4 officers injured; 1 law enforcement vehicle damaged.

– Province of Ouarzazate: 2 officers injured.

– Casablanca Prefecture: 2 officers injured; 1 vehicle damaged.

– Province of Taroudant: 1 officer injured; 1 vehicle damaged.

El Khalfi affirmed that individuals who persisted in breaching security protocols were dealt with in accordance with the law. Some were subjected to identity verification procedures under the supervision of the public prosecutor’s office, and were immediately released upon completion of the legal process.

Meanwhile, 409 individuals were placed in police custody upon instruction from the competent public prosecutor’s office.

In recent days, he added, several regions across the Kingdom witnessed unauthorized demonstrations and crowding on public roads, sparked by calls circulated on social media by an unknown origin.

Law enforcement intervened to disperse crowds in full compliance with legal provisions and professional conduct standards governing their duties, he continued.

In clarifying these facts to the national public opinion, the Ministry of the Interior affirmed that public authorities have been and remain fully committed to fulfilling their duties with a sense of responsibility, in order to safeguard public order while ensuring the exercise of rights and freedoms, including the right to peaceful protest, within a legal and regulated framework, El Khalfi added.

The Ministry will continue to uphold public safety and order with institutional responsibility, maintaining restraint and composure without yielding to provocation and adhering strictly to legal texts and professional guidelines.

Legal provisions currently in force will be applied firmly and strictly to anyone having committed acts or shown behavior punishable by law, in accordance with judicial procedures and under the supervision of the competent public prosecutor’s office, with all associated legal responsibilities and consequences.