Two men on jet skis shot dead as they cross Algerian border
Two men on jet skis were shot dead in Morocco by Algeria’s coastguard because the pair crossed the neighbouring Algerian border, reports the AFP, September 1.
The two individuals were gunned down as they mistakenly crossed the maritime border due to taking a wrong turn off Saidia’s beach resort, a popular destination for international holidaymakers.
The two killed, Abdelali Merchouer and Bilal Kassi are both French-Moroccan dual nationals. In total, they were a group of four jet skiers.
Saidia is situated in Morocco’s northeast and is to the east of the Moroccan-Algerian border.
Mohamed Kissi, brother of Bilal Kissi, was with the group of four and told Moroccan media that “we got lost but we kept going until we found ourselves in Algeria,”
The fourth member of the group, Smail Snabe (also of French-Moroccan origin) was arrested by Algeria’s coastguard and was prosecuted on August 30.
Mohamed Kassi added, “We knew we were in Algeria because a black Algerian dinghy came towards us, and those on board fired at us. We knew we were in Algeria because a black Algerian dinghy came towards us and those on board fired at us. Thank God I wasn’t hit, but they killed my brother and my friend. They arrested my other friend. Five bullets hit my brother and my friend.”
Kassi also noted that they had ran out fuel and that he was picked up by the Moroccan navy and brought back to the resort.
Tensions between the neigbouring countries remain high over the issue of the disputed territory of Western Sahara. Morocco’s sovereignty over the territory was recognised by former US President, Donald Trump’s administration in late 2020, as part of the Morocco-Israel deal.
Morocco’s collaborations with the Middle Eastern state continues to be scrutinised by a significant number of Moroccans.
Algeria are yet to comment on the recent incident and Moroccan Government spokesperson dismissed questions about the Algerian Coastguard’s actions saying, “It is a matter for the judiciary”.
AFP
