Attack on the Mountain
Maren Ueland from Norway and Louisa Vesterager Jespersen from Denmark, both in their mid-20s, were murdered by pro-ISIS extremists while on a month-long hiking trip in Morocco. They had camped near Mount Toubkal, North Africa's highest peak.
According to a new video from true-crime podcast Disturban, a group of extremists, including ringleader Abdessamad Ejjoud (26), Rachid Affati (33), and Younes Ouazid (27), had planned to attack Westerners at the popular hiking spot. They carried knives, recording devices, and camping equipment. After failing to target hikers with guides, they waited for a suitable opportunity.
On December 14, 2018, the women set up camp at dusk. The three men approached after midnight. Younes cut Louisa's hands as she tried to zip the tent shut. They then thrust knives through the nylon wall.
Despite being wounded, Louisa escaped briefly but Rachid filmed her as he held her down with his foot on her neck. Abdessamad then arrived and hacked at her neck with a machete until she was decapitated. The attackers recorded a video message declaring revenge for strikes against ISIS in Syria. They then turned to Maren, who was alive but in shock from repeated stabbings. Younes stabbed her again and then hacked off her head.
Aftermath and Justice
The trio filmed a second video with a makeshift ISIS flag, proclaiming allegiance to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. However, Islamic State ignored the video, refused to claim responsibility, and consistently rejected the Moroccans' pledges of loyalty.
Two French tourists discovered the scene and alerted authorities. Moroccan police spokesman Boubker Sabik described the attackers as "lone wolves" and stressed that "the crime was not coordinated with Islamic State." Around 20 people linked to the perpetrators were arrested.
On July 18, 2019, a Moroccan court sentenced Abdessamad Ejjoud, Rachid Affati, and Younes Ouazid to death. Twenty accomplices received prison terms. During his trial, Ejjoud stated he held no belief in laws or human rights.
