Morocco football vandalism trial postponed

The criminal chamber of the Casablanca Court of Appeals has postponed the trial of suspects in clashes between fans of Raja Casablanca and FAR Rabat. The trial has been delayed until Thursday to continue hearing the arguments of 135 defendants, 63 of whom are on temporary release. The trial involved representatives of the General Directorate for National Security, Moroccan Football Federation officials and police officers who were present at the site of the incident. As the clashes began at train stations in Casablanca, the defence also summoned the heads of the train stations in Rabat and Casablanca as well as the train drivers. The chamber decided to revoke the temporary release of ten defendants who failed to appear in court during Wednesday's session. The decision was made after charges were filed against the accused for robbery, threatening public safety, damaging properties, inciting hatred and forming criminal organisations. The court also decided to separate the files of minors from those of the adults. The Ministry of the Interior announced that on April 11, the police had detained 193 suspects believed to be involved in acts of vandalism in Casablanca neighbourhoods. They declared that these incidents occurred despite the precautions and increased security measures implemented by the ministry.