RABAT, March 8 (Reuters) - A Moroccan lawmaker was shot and killed in front of his home on Tuesday night in Casablanca, according to a statement from his political party and local media.
Security officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment on motivations. It was not clear whether the lawmaker had been targetted specifically but killings of political figures in Morocco are rare.
The victim, Abdellatif Mirdas, 53, parliamentary member of the liberal Constitutional Union Party representing the Settat district, was returning to his home in Casablanca when he was shot in his car, according to reports in local media.
"The Constitutional Union denounces this despicable criminal act against one of our leaders," the party said in a statement, adding it hopes an investigation will reveal the perpetrators of the "crime."
An individual with a judicial record suspected of being connected to the murder has been arrested, according to a statement from the General Directorate of National Security released on MAP state news agency.
Almost five months after elections in October, Morocco is caught in a political deadlock between its Islamist party prime minister and coalition partners over the formation of a new government he will lead.
(Reporting by Samia Errazzouki; editing by Patrick Markey) ((pat.markey@thomsonreuters.com; +213-661-692993; Reuters Messaging: pat.markey.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))
Security officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment on motivations. It was not clear whether the lawmaker had been targetted specifically but killings of political figures in Morocco are rare.
The victim, Abdellatif Mirdas, 53, parliamentary member of the liberal Constitutional Union Party representing the Settat district, was returning to his home in Casablanca when he was shot in his car, according to reports in local media.
"The Constitutional Union denounces this despicable criminal act against one of our leaders," the party said in a statement, adding it hopes an investigation will reveal the perpetrators of the "crime."
An individual with a judicial record suspected of being connected to the murder has been arrested, according to a statement from the General Directorate of National Security released on MAP state news agency.
Almost five months after elections in October, Morocco is caught in a political deadlock between its Islamist party prime minister and coalition partners over the formation of a new government he will lead.
(Reporting by Samia Errazzouki; editing by Patrick Markey) ((pat.markey@thomsonreuters.com; +213-661-692993; Reuters Messaging: pat.markey.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))
