Maren Ueland was one of the two Scandinavian tourists who were brutally murdered by a group of Islamic extremists in Morocco in December 2018. A video and a picture of the horrific crime were circulated online, sparking outrage and condemnation. This article will explore the details of the murders, the investigation, the trial, the sentencing, and the impact of the tragedy.
Murders of Louisa Vesterager Jespersen and Maren Ueland
Background
Louisa Vesterager Jespersen, 24, from Denmark, and Maren Ueland, 28, from Norway, were friends who met at the University of South-Eastern Norway. They shared a passion for outdoor activities and adventure travel. They decided to go on a month-long trip to Morocco, where they planned to hike in the Atlas Mountains, visit Marrakech, and explore the Sahara Desert.
Murders and investigation
On December 16, 2018, the two women set up a tent near Mount Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa, in a popular tourist area. They were approached by four men who claimed to be guides, but who were actually members of a local cell of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). The men attacked the women with knives, beheaded them, and filmed the gruesome act. They also stole their phones, cameras, and money.
The next day, the bodies of the women were found by two French hikers, who alerted the authorities. The Moroccan police launched a massive manhunt, and arrested the four suspects within days. They also recovered the weapons, the belongings, and the video of the murders from the suspects’ phones. The video showed the men swearing allegiance to ISIL leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, and saying that the killings were in revenge for the deaths of their fellow militants in Syria.
Trial
The trial of the four main suspects, along with 20 other accomplices, began in May 2019 in Salé, near Rabat. The suspects faced charges of terrorism, premeditated murder, forming a criminal gang, and possession of weapons. The prosecution sought the death penalty for the four main suspects, who confessed to the murders and expressed no remorse. The defense lawyers argued that the suspects were victims of poverty, ignorance, and brainwashing by radical preachers.
Funerals
The bodies of the two women were repatriated to their respective countries, where they received dignified funerals. Thousands of people attended the ceremonies, and paid tribute to the victims. The families of the women expressed their grief and shock, but also their gratitude for the support and solidarity they received from the public and the authorities.
Aftermath
The murders of the two women shocked and saddened the world, and especially the people of Morocco and Scandinavia. The Moroccan government condemned the crime as a “heinous act of terrorism”, and vowed to fight against extremism and violence. The Moroccan people expressed their sympathy and solidarity with the families of the victims, and organized vigils, marches, and prayers. The Scandinavian governments also denounced the crime, and urged their citizens to exercise caution when traveling abroad.
Video and Picture Revealed
The video and the picture of the murders were widely circulated on social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp, by some users who claimed to have received them from the perpetrators. The video showed the beheading of one of the women, while the picture showed the severed heads of both women. The video and the picture were accompanied by messages that glorified the crime and threatened more attacks.
‘I need to hear from you’
The video and the picture reached the families of the victims, who were devastated and traumatized by the images. Maren’s mother, Irene Ueland, said that she received the video on Facebook Messenger from an unknown sender, who wrote: “I need to hear from you”. She said that she did not watch the video, but deleted it immediately. She also said that she received several phone calls from strangers who claimed to have information about her daughter.
‘Akin to a thousand operations here with us’
The video and the picture also reached some of the friends and acquaintances of the victims, who were horrified and disgusted by the images. One of Maren’s friends, who wished to remain anonymous, said that she received the video on WhatsApp from a number that she did not recognize. She said that she watched the video, and felt sick and angry. She said that the video had a voice-over that said: “This is akin to a thousand operations here with us”.
‘This is the revenge’
The video and the picture also reached some of the journalists and activists who covered the story, who were appalled and outraged by the images. One of them was Kjetil Stormark, a Norwegian investigative journalist, who said that he received the video on Twitter from a user who claimed to be a Moroccan journalist. He said that he watched the video, and verified its authenticity. He said that the video had a caption that said: “This is the revenge for our brothers in Hajin”.
‘I feel it. I feel it.’
The video and the picture also reached some of the public figures and celebrities who commented on the story, who were shocked and saddened by the images. One of them was Madonna, the American pop star, who said that she received the video on Instagram from a fan who wanted her to speak out against the crime. She said that she watched the video, and felt heartbroken and helpless. She said that she posted a message on her Instagram story that said: “I feel it. I feel it.”
‘A complete failure’
The video and the picture also reached some of the authorities and experts who investigated the crime, who were alarmed and concerned by the images. One of them was Abdelhak Khiam, the head of Morocco’s Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations, who said that he received the video on his phone from one of his colleagues. He said that he watched the video, and confirmed its origin. He said that the video was a “complete failure” for the security services, who failed to prevent the crime and stop the spread of the images.
‘Create fear and anxiety’
The video and the picture also reached some of the analysts and commentators who studied the crime, who were intrigued and disturbed by the images. One of them was Rik Coolsaet, a Belgian professor of international relations, who said that he received the video on his email from a student who wanted his opinion on the crime. He said that he watched the video, and analyzed its content. He said that the video was a “propaganda tool” for the extremists, who wanted to “create fear and anxiety” among the public and the authorities.
Sentencing of Culprits
Three sentenced to death
On July 18, 2019, the court in Salé delivered its verdict in the trial of the 24 suspects. The four main suspects, Abdessamad Ejjoud, Younes Ouaziyad, Rachid Afatti, and Abderrahim Khayali, were sentenced to death by firing squad. The other 20 suspects received prison sentences ranging from five years to life. The court also ordered the suspects to pay a total of 2 million dirhams ($209,000) in compensation to the families of the victims.
‘Bloodthirsty monsters’
The sentencing of the culprits was welcomed by the families of the victims, who said that justice was served. Maren’s father, Reynold Ueland, said that he was satisfied with the verdict, and that he hoped that the death sentences would be carried out. He said that the culprits were “bloodthirsty monsters” who deserved no mercy. Louisa’s mother, Helle Jespersen, said that she was relieved by the verdict, and that she hoped that the prison sentences would be harsh. She said that the culprits were “evil people” who had no respect for life.
Significance of the sentence
The sentencing of the culprits was also significant for the Moroccan legal system, which had not executed anyone since 1993. The death penalty is still legal in Morocco, but it is rarely applied, and there is a de facto moratorium on executions. The last person to be executed in Morocco was Mohamed Tabet, a former police chief who was convicted of rape and murder. The death sentences for the culprits were seen as a sign of the severity of the crime, and the pressure of the public opinion.
Impact of the Murders
Increase in security measures in Morocco
The murders of the two women had a negative impact on the tourism industry in Morocco, which is one of the main sources of income for the country. The number of visitors to Morocco dropped by 10% in the first quarter of 2019, compared to the same period in 2018. The Moroccan government responded by increasing the security measures in the tourist areas, especially in the mountain regions. The government also launched a campaign to promote the image of Morocco as a safe and hospitable destination.
Heightened fear for travelers
The murders of the two women also had a psychological impact on the travelers who visit Morocco, or who plan to visit Morocco. The travelers expressed their fear and anxiety about the safety and security of the country, and the possibility of encountering violence and extremism. Some travelers canceled or postponed their trips to Morocco, while others changed their itineraries or avoided certain areas. Some travelers also shared their tips and advice on how to travel safely and responsibly in Morocco.
Addressing extremism and violence
The murders of the two women also had a social and political impact on the Moroccan society, which faced the challenge of addressing the root causes and the consequences of extremism and violence. The Moroccan government launched a series of initiatives to combat radicalization and terrorism, such as strengthening the security and intelligence services, reforming the religious and educational institutions, and promoting the values of tolerance and coexistence. The Moroccan civil society also mobilized to raise awareness and prevent violence, such as organizing campaigns, workshops, and dialogues.
Remembering Maren and Louisa
The murders of the two women also had a human and emotional impact on the people who knew and loved them, who faced the challenge of coping with the loss and the grief. The families and friends of the victims remembered them as kind, adventurous, and generous women, who had a zest for life and a love for nature. They also honored their memory by creating foundations, scholarships, and projects in their names, to support causes that they cared about, such as education, environment, and human rights.
Conclusion
The murders of Maren Ueland and Louisa Vesterager Jespersen in Morocco in December 2018 were a tragic and shocking event, that revealed the brutality and the horror of extremism and violence. The video and the picture of the crime, which were circulated online, added to the pain and the outrage of the families, the authorities, and the public. The trial and the sentencing of the culprits, which ended in July 2019, brought some closure and justice to the case. The impact of the murders, however, remains profound and lasting, as it challenges the security, the stability, and the harmony of Morocco and the world.
