Maren Ueland and Louisa Vesterager Jespersen were beheaded while hiking in Morocco after spending the night at an isolated mountain campsite. The two women, both in their mid-twenties, had travelled to Morocco for a month-long holiday and were trekking through the foothills of Mount Toubkal, North Africa's highest peak.
Attack and Video
During their trip, they fell victim to a gang of pro-ISIS extremists, who filmed their disturbing attack. The perpetrators—Rachid Affati, 33, Younes Ouazid, 27, and Abdessamad Ejjoud, 26—were given the death penalty after the attack in 2018.
After the women pitched their tent, Ouazid called towards them and ordered them to come outside. Before they had a chance, he reached for the zip. Louise also reached for the zip in an attempt to hold it shut, but Ouazid pulled out a blade and cut her hands. The men then started cutting through the tent with knives.
Murder and Aftermath
Despite sustaining severe injuries, Louisa managed to flee a short distance from the tent. However, Affati caught up to her and held her down with his foot pressed against her neck, filming the whole thing. When Ejjoud caught up, he pulled out his machete and cut Louisa's neck, decapitating her. The trio then filmed another video, calling the murder revenge for strikes against ISIS forces in Syria.
Maren remained critically injured in the tent, and Ouazid went back to stab her in the chest, back, and arms, before decapitating her also. They recorded another video after fleeing the scene, with a makeshift ISIS flag in the background, proclaiming their loyalty to the terrorist organisation.
Trial and Convictions
The trio had planned numerous unsuccessful terror plots alongside a further conspirator, Abderrahmane Khayali, 33. During his trial, ringleader Ejjoud told the court that he did not believe in laws or human rights. Khayali took his own life by hanging in his cell in 2023, and two years later, Ouaziad did the same.
Their killings sparked protests and vigils.
