World · Africa · 5 hrs ago
Algeria says it arrested 61 Moroccans suspected of planning sabotage
Algeria says it arrested 61 Moroccan nationals in early October, announcing the arrests on 11 October.
The group included a former member of Morocco’s military, according to Algerian authorities.
The authorities accuse them of planning sabotage that could harm public safety and order, but have not described the alleged plans or possible targets.
They say the group travelled through Tunisia and entered Algeria by mountain routes before reaching Oran.
The accusations have not been independently established, and Moroccan media have questioned Algeria’s account; one Moroccan source suggested the detainees may have been trying to migrate to Europe.
The arrests come amid long-running tensions between Algeria and Morocco, whose relations have been strained by disputes including Western Sahara.
No further details on the case or next steps have been announced.
Algerian authorities said they arrested 61 Moroccan nationals in early October on suspicion of planning acts of sabotage.
The General Directorate of National Security said the group threatened public security and order, but gave no details about the alleged plans or their intended targets.
The authorities said the group entered Algeria from Tunisia by mountain routes and travelled to Oran.
Moroccan media questioned the Algerian account, and an unofficial Moroccan source described the detainees as people seeking to migrate to Europe.
The arrests come amid longstanding tensions between Algeria and Morocco, including their dispute over Western Sahara.
- Who
- Algerian authorities said they arrested 61 Moroccan nationals, including a former Moroccan military officer.
- What
- They are suspected of planning acts of sabotage that authorities said threatened public security and order. The authorities provided no details of the alleged plans.
- When
- The arrests took place in early October; Algerian authorities announced them on 11 October.
- Where
- The detainees were arrested in Algeria, with the reported route crossing from Tunisia through the El Kala area to Oran.
- Why
- Algerian authorities said the group was preparing sabotage. They did not specify its targets or provide details of the alleged plan.
Algerian authorities
Moroccan media and an unofficial Moroccan source
Allegation
Algerian authorities
The DGSN described the detainees as a Moroccan criminal network preparing acts of sabotage.
Moroccan media and an unofficial Moroccan source
Moroccan media questioned the account, while an unofficial source said the detainees were seeking to migrate to Europe.
Evidence and detail
Algerian authorities
The DGSN said the group entered from Tunisia by mountain routes, but did not detail its alleged plans.
Moroccan media and an unofficial Moroccan source
Moroccan outlets pointed to alleged gaps and uncertainties in the account; the sources provide no independent confirmation of either explanation.
Algeria broke diplomatic relations with Morocco.
Algerian authorities said they arrested 61 Moroccan nationals.
The DGSN announced the arrests and alleged that the group had been preparing acts of sabotage.
The UN Security Council was due to adopt a new resolution on Western Sahara.
- Detainees
- 61 Moroccan nationals
- Arrest timing
- Early October 2026
- Announcement
- 11 October 2026
- Reported route
- From Tunisia through the El Kala area to Oran
- Alleged charge
- Planning acts of sabotage threatening public security and order
- Background
- Algeria broke diplomatic relations with Morocco in 2021
3 sources
What people are saying
a Moroccan international criminal network
the people arrested were candidates for migration who wanted to reach Europe
Unable to change the course of events in New York, Algiers is stirring up the threat at home