Trial of Air Force Officers Accused of Attempted Assassination of King Hassan of Morocco | Oct. 1972

Описание: Thursday, October 19th 1972.

Footage of the trial of Moroccan Air Force officers accused of complicity in the attempt to assassinate King Hassan II as part of a coup orchestrated by General Mohamed Oufkir, the Minister of National Defence.

Reuters Text:

"Two hundred and twenty air force officers and men, accused of complicity in the unsuccessful attempt to assassinate King Hassan by trying to shoot down his aircraft ... undergoing trial by court martial...

On his return from a state visit to France last August (16), King Hassan's airliner was badly damaged by Moroccan fighters flying out of Kenitra Airbase. The King's aircraft managed to land safely at Rabat, with the King unhurt.

Among the accused officers was the former commander of the Kenitra Airbase, Lieutenant Colonel Mohamed Amokrane, who was alleged to have directed the fighter attack from the control tower.

General Mohamed Oufkir, the former Defence Minister and the alleged leader of the assassination attempt, shot himself a few hours after the coup. The General had been given his post and direct control over the army following an earlier abortive uprising.

The trial follows a "purge and rejuvenation" of military leadership by the King, who has taken personal command of the 50,000-strong armed force after abolishing the Defence Ministry."

Source: Reuters News Archive.