Morocco’s police refutes report of alleged probe delay into disappearance of French national

RABAT - Morocco General Directorate of National Security (DGSN) denied on Monday allegations mentioned in an article published by the French newspaper Le Figaro regarding a purported delay in the investigation into the disappearance of a French national in Rabat in 2024. 

The DGSN affirmed that its services are still actively pursuing the case in full compliance with legal provisions.

In a statement, the DGSN indicated it took note of the Le Figaro article, describing it as inaccurate and containing allegations attributed to certain parties involved in the case. These parties claimed there was a delay in the investigation and that the investigative team failed to respond to requests from the missing person's family.

To inform public opinion and re-establish the facts, the DGSN outlined the primary leads of the investigation, including field operations, technical expertise, and requisitions, while respecting the legal limits of disclosure for an ongoing judicial inquiry.

Chronology of the Case and Initial Findings

On April 13, 2024, Rabat police received a report regarding the disappearance of a French national from his rented apartment. Initial findings by judicial police and crime scene technicians revealed no evidence of a criminal offense; there were no signs of break-in or theft. The individual’s personal belongings, computer and electronic equipment, and a sum of money were all found on the premises.

The investigation was deepened to explore criminal hypotheses. Experts from the National Laboratory of Scientific and Technical Police conducted a high-tech sweep of the apartment, as well as the residence of a person who accompanied the individual prior to the disappearance. DNA samples were collected, but no evidence was found to support a criminal theory.

Extensive Investigative Measures

Given the circumstances involving the 29-year-old (at the time of the events), the public prosecutor entrusted the case to the National Brigade of Judicial Police (BNPJ) in Casablanca. Their efforts included:

• Interviews: More than 60 formal hearings and interrogations were conducted with everyone who had been in contact with the missing man, including phone contacts and acquaintances.
• Technical Expertise: Analysis of electronic devices belonging to the individual yielded no data on his current location.
• Retracing Movements: Investigators traveled to Tetuan and Chefchaouen to retrace his itinerary and interview individuals he met there.
• Financial and Logistics Tracking: Dozens of requisitions were sent to telecom operators, banks, and customs regarding financial transactions and a vehicle registered abroad that he had used in Morocco. No criminal suspicion arose from these checks.
• International Cooperation: With prosecutorial authorization, international security cooperation channels were used to trace financial transfers, confirming previous domestic results.

Response to Family and Foreign Liaison

Contrary to the claims in Le Figaro, the DGSN asserts that the family was received at the Regional Brigade of Judicial Police in Rabat on more than five occasions. They were kept informed of progress, and their son's personal effects were returned to them following official instructions from the prosecutor.

The BNPJ addressed all requests from the French Liaison Officer in Morocco. This included investigating reported sightings of the individual in Casablanca, Mohammedia, Ifrane, Azrou, Khenifra, Fez, and mountainous areas of the High Atlas.

Field Deployment: Six search teams were mobilized. One team conducted field investigations in the High Atlas for over three weeks.

Identification Errors: Reported sightings were verified; the individuals spotted turned out to be another French national, an Estonian, and a Moroccan citizen—none of whom were the missing person.

Current Status of the Inquiry

An urgent search notice remains active across all National Security and Royal Gendarmerie services. Inquiries at hospitals and psychiatric clinics have been unsuccessful. Testimony collected during the investigation suggests the missing individual suffered from serious psychological complications.

Regarding the hypothesis of religious radicalization mentioned by Le Figaro, the DGSN, in coordination with the DGST (General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance), confirmed that no extremist links were established regarding the individual within Morocco.

The DGSN concluded by reiterating that the BNPJ is still investigating the case in accordance with the law, noting that the most recent legal measure was taken as recently as January 20, 2026.