Seventeen people, including eight minors, were arrested Sunday night for their alleged involvement in violent outbursts that have come to be a ritualistic part of Ashura celebrations.
Arrests happened in Rabat, Salé, Casablanca, Marrakech, El Jadida, Beni Mellal, Tangier, Mahdia and Temara. Last year over 150 people were arrested.
The suspects face two to five years in prison and a fine of 50,000 to 500,000 dirhams under a 2016 law that bans the use of explosive substances by civilians.
The people arrested are suspected of having caused material damage to a group of vehicles, including 11 National Security cars, a vehicle belonging to the Civil Protection, as well as 13 private cars which were parked on the public road.
The suspects are accused of physical assault on a police lieutenant-colonel in Marrakech and a civil protection officer in the city of Beni Mellal.
The lighting of fire and water fights celebrated during Ashura are a symbolic remembrance of Prophet Moses and his parting of the sea to escape Egypt.
Moroccans fast during the day of Ashura on 10th of Muharram, in adherence to a Hadith by Prophet Mohammed. They also, sing, dance, and gather around a plate dried fruits.
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