Moroccan police arrest suspected killer of Scandinavian women found with throats cut
Moroccan authorities yesterday arrested a suspect after the killing of two Scandinavian women in the High Atlas mountains, a popular trekking area for tourists.
Other suspects are being sought over the deaths of the Danish and Norwegian hikers whose bodies were found dead on Monday with their throats cut, the country’s Interior Ministry said.
The bodies were discovered in an isolated mountain area 10 kilometres from the tourist village of Imlil.
Imlil is a starting point for trekking and climbing tours of Mount Toubkal, which at 4,167 metres is the tallest summit in North Africa.
The suspect was arrested in Marrakesh, a tourist centre at the foot of the mountains about 60 kilometres north of Imlil, and held in custody for questioning, the ministry said.
Moroccan authorities called it a “criminal act” but did not give further details about the murders.
The Danish victim, Louisa Vesterager Jespersen, 24, “had her throat cut”, her mother Helle Petersen told the Danish newspaper BT.
Her family had warned her against going to Morocco “because of the chaotic situation”, Ms Petersen said.
Ms Jespersen had studied in Norway to be a guide, her Facebook page says.
Norwegian media identified the other victim as Maren Ueland, 28.
“Her priority was safety,” her mother Irene Ueland told Norwegian broadcaster NRK. “The girls took every precaution before going on this trip.”
The two women studied at a university in southern Norway and had planned to travel together for a month, Ms Ueland said.
Her last contact with her daughter was on December 9, she said.
A Norwegian policeman from the embassy in Rabat is travelling to Marrakesh to act as a liaison between the authorities.
Officials said that security has now been stepped up in the region and hiking sus-
pended after the discovery of the bodies.
“It’s very bad for the region. There will undoubtedly be cancellations,” said Hossein, a guide for the mountainous area.
Tourism is a cornerstone of Morocco’s economy and the kingdom’s second-largest employer after agriculture.
The sector accounts for 10 per cent of national income and is one of the country’s main sources of foreign currency.
After several years of near-stagnation, Morocco had a record 11.35 million visitors last year, exceeding 11 million for the first time.