15 April 2008

LYON - Interpol published on its Internet site the names and pictures of nine Islamist extremists convicted for the deadly 2003 Casablanca bombings, who escaped their Moroccan prison last week.

The move came at the request of Moroccan authorities, the Lyon-based International Criminal Police Organisation said, adding it had issued an "Orange Notice" - or world-wide security alert - on the escapees.

Sent to Interpol's 186 national bureaus, the notice "includes the names and photographs of the convicted terrorists, all essential elements to help law enforcement officers working in their search and eventual verification of their identity when located and arrested," Interpol said in a statement.

The nine escaped 7 April by tunnelling their way out of Kenitra jail, north of Rabat.

The Casablanca bombings were Morocco's deadliest yet, killing 45 including

12 suicide bombers and injuring scores more.

One of the nine reportedly had been sentenced to death, six others to life imprisonment and two were given 20 years in jail for their role in the blasts.

[AFP / Expatica]