OPP – Individual Believed to be Responsible for November 1 bomb threats Arrested in Morocco – UPDATED

Dec 27, 2023 at 20:07

An individual arrested in Morocco by Belgian police has been charged by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in connection with a series of bomb threats that occurred in Ontario.

On November 1, 2023, multiple schools and other public facilities received threatening messages, indicating that bombs had been placed at their locations. The threats also included a demand for money in exchange for details about the alleged explosives. No actual explosives were ever found.

An investigation began with the Criminal Investigation Branch, working closely with the OPP Cybercrime Investigations Team and Belgian Police. As a result of the investigation, an arrest warrant was obtained.

El Hachm EL MOUSSI, 45-years-old from Casablanca, Morocco, is charged with:

  • Utter Threats – two counts
  • Mischief – two counts
  • Extortion – two counts

The OPP is consulting with the Federal Department of Justice to determine how the accused will appear before the Ontario Court of Justice.

Nov 30, 2023 at 15:57

An individual believed to be responsible for bomb threats across much of Ontario in early November has been arrested in Morocco.

On November 1, 2023, multiple schools and other public facilities received threatening messages, indicating that bombs had been placed at their locations. The threats also included a demand for money in exchange for details about the alleged explosives. No actual explosives were ever found.

Belgian police have now arrested an individual in Morocco in connection with a series of bomb threats against schools in Belgium earlier this week.

The investigation in this province, by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Criminal Investigation Branch, has given investigators strong reason to believe the individual from Morocco was also responsible for the threats and major disruption here in Ontario.

The Criminal Investigation Branch, working with the OPP Cybercrime Investigations Team, continues to investigate and will be working closely with Belgian police.

We cannot speculate when or if the individual will face charges in Canada.

OPP