A man from Morocco was arrested on Thursday at Frankfurt International Airport in Germany. He is suspected of spying on a group of people who oppose the Moroccan government. The arrest took place after the man had been detained in Spain earlier in December 2024. Spanish authorities had caught him based on an arrest warrant issued by Germany. After being held in Spain for a short time, the man was handed over to Germany, where he now faces charges related to espionage.
The arrested man, whose name is Youssef El A., is believed to have been working on behalf of Morocco’s secret police, known as DGED. German prosecutors claim that he had been spying on individuals who are part of a protest movement called Al-Hirak al-Shaabi, or the “Popular Movement.” This movement has been active since 2016, and its supporters demand better treatment and more rights for the people in Morocco’s northern Rif region. The man is said to have been involved in this spying activity since January 2022.
What Was He Accused of Doing?
Youssef El A. is not alone in these accusations. He is thought to be connected to another Moroccan man named Mohamed A., who was arrested in Germany in November 2022. Mohamed A. was accused of similar actions. German authorities say Mohamed A. was also spying on supporters of the Hirak movement in Germany and passing on their information to the Moroccan secret service.
In Mohamed A.’s case, he had reportedly shared information about two German-Moroccan citizens with the Moroccan security forces. In return, he received airplane tickets and travel expenses worth around €5,000. After being caught and tried in court, Mohamed A. was given a light sentence. He was sentenced to one year and nine months in jail, but the sentence was suspended, meaning he did not have to serve time in prison. He was also fined €4,300 as part of the court’s decision.
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Now, Youssef El A. faces similar charges. German prosecutors believe that, just like Mohamed A., he played a role in spying on people who were part of the Hirak movement. These people are known for standing up against the government and calling for more rights for their community. The government in Morocco does not take kindly to these kinds of protests, and many members of the movement have been arrested over the years.
Who Was He Spying On?
The Al-Hirak al-Shaabi movement, which the suspected spy is accused of targeting, began in Morocco’s Rif region in 2016. It all started after a tragic incident in which a fishmonger was crushed to death by a garbage truck. The fishmonger was trying to retrieve swordfish that police had seized from him. His death sparked widespread anger, and many people in the Rif region began protesting. They demanded better conditions, more jobs, and better investment for their region, which had long been neglected.
The protests became larger, and soon the movement spread beyond the Rif area. Supporters of the movement have faced arrest and government crackdowns over the years. The Moroccan government sees the movement as a threat and has been accused of using harsh methods to control it. This has led to many members of the movement being monitored, harassed, or even imprisoned.
The people who support Hirak are often very vocal about the need for political reform, better economic conditions, and more rights for the Berber community, a group native to the Rif region. These protests have been seen as challenging the authority of the Moroccan government, and the authorities have been trying to suppress them. The alleged spying activities are believed to be part of the government’s effort to control this movement outside of Morocco’s borders.
