CASABLANCA, Morocco, July 22 (UPI) -- A mass trial of hundreds of suspected Islamic terrorists has started in Casablanca amid fears it might signal a return to Morocco's oppressive past.
The London Daily Telegraph said the 52 suspects represent the first of about 700 people who allegedly belong to a radical Islamic group believed responsible for suicide bomb attacks against Jewish and Western targets. Those attacks killed 44 people two months ago in Casablanca.
The newspaper said the first defendants to be called are accused of planning to blow themselves up with the 12 suicide bombers who detonated nearly simultaneous blasts. The defendants are charged with "criminal association, undermining internal state security, sabotage, murder, intention to cause injury and permanent injury."
Some of the men are believed to have links with Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida network.
