Algerian authorities have handed over 60 Moroccan youth to their Moroccan counterparts. The individuals, who had been detained in Algerian prisons for their involvement in irregular migration attempts, were repatriated through the "Zouj Bghal" border post in Oujda and the "Colonel Lotfi Maghnia" border post. The operation was carried out in two phases.
The Moroccan Association for Supporting Migrants in Difficult Situations, which closely monitors cases of Moroccan youth involved in irregular migration, as well as those missing or detained in various countries, reported that these detainees had been imprisoned in Algeria for attempting to cross the country’s territory illegally en route to Europe.
According to a statement received by Assahifa, the association revealed that the repatriated individuals hail from various Moroccan cities, including Fez, Bouarfa, Oujda, Berkane, Taza, Guercif, Mohammedia, Taounate, Nador, Safi, Youssoufia, Figuig, Chtouka, Khouribga, Tetouan, Ouarzazate, Tendrara, Beni Mellal, Demnate, Sidi Bennour, Kalaa, Ait Bilal, and Oultana.
The detainees had served varying sentences in Algerian prisons, with some spending over three and a half years in detention, in addition to one year under administrative custody, the association noted.
The repatriation process faced technical and procedural challenges, according to the association, which also highlighted that hundreds of Moroccan youth remain under administrative custody in Algeria, awaiting repatriation. This underscores the ongoing difficulties in resolving such cases.
In this context, the Moroccan Association for Supporting Migrants in Difficult Situations disclosed that it has handled over 480 cases of Moroccan detainees and missing individuals involved in irregular migration.
Furthermore, the association reported the discovery of six bodies in Algerian morgues, including two belonging to young women from Morocco's eastern region. Their families are still awaiting the completion of judicial and administrative procedures to recover the remains.
