Tourists' murder in Morocco possibly linked to terror

By Francesca Merlo

The horrific murders of 24 year-old Louisa Vesterager Jespersen and 28 year-old Maren Ueland are believed to have been an act of terrorism.

The bodies of the two girls, from Denmark and Norway, were found on Monday morning by French hikers near the village of Imlil, in Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains, a popular tourist destination. One girl had been beheaded and the other was found with her throat cut.

The two girls, who were studying to be outdoor guides at a Norwegian university, were spotted with three men in Marrakesh before heading to the Atlas mountains to hike. 

Witnesses say that three men from Marrakesh were seen camping close to the women. 

Moroccan authorities have confirmed that at least one of the suspected killers is a confirmed 'extremist', thus prompting fears that the gruesome double murder was an act of terror. 

A video showing the murder and beheading of one of the girls has been recognised as genuine by Danish intelligence services.

The men can supposedly be heard shouting 'This is for Syria’ in the video.  The comment appears to reference Western bombing in war-torn Syria.

A Moroccan police source said today that three fugitive suspects had been arrested in Marrakesh after an intensive manhunt including a man from the city whose identity card was found at the murder scene.  

They were filmed fleeing the scene early on Monday morning, by another camper.