A Spanish security official commended Morocco’s cooperation in the investigations into the Barcelona attacks, emphasizing adherence to evidence procedures.
The official, head of the information unit in Barcelona, revealed details of the cooperation during a parliamentary committee session in the Spanish Congress. He explained that he visited Morocco from December 10 to 14, 2017, as part of an international legal assistance initiative to oversee procedures related to collecting DNA samples from the family of Abdelbaki es Satty, who is considered the mastermind behind the attacks and served as an imam in Ripoll.
According to Europa Press, the Spanish team’s role was limited to accompaniment and observation, while Moroccan security forces were responsible for executing all measures in accordance with international standards, with a precise respect for the chain of custody of evidence.
The spokesman noted that the biological samples were sent to the forensic laboratory in Casablanca before the results were forwarded to the Appeals Court in Rabat for integration into the judicial investigation process.
The attacks in Barcelona during the summer of 2017 resulted in the deaths of 16 people and injured dozens, marking one of the most violent terrorist assaults Spain has experienced in the last decade. The Spanish official stated that the level of coordination between Rabat and Madrid in the fight against terrorism is “very good,” asserting that the exchange of information and joint field operations expedited the investigation and revealed critical information related to the case.
