Spanish enclave of Ceuta: Police make arrests over social media posts encouraging irregular migration

Last updated on September 5th, 2024 at 09:24 am

The Moroccan police have made multiple arrests, including that of a minor, on suspicion of posting on social media encouraging irregular migration to Ceuta. In recent days, efforts by migrants to cross into the Spanish enclave has risen significantly.

The suspects arrested on Saturday are accused of having shared content on TikTok, Facebook and other social media platforms, urging people to take on the difficult and immensely risky sea route from Morocco into the autonomous city in Spain.

Nonetheless, the hundreds of thousands of videos and images demonstrating people’s efforts to reach Europe for a better life fail to alert of the dangers. Last month alone, five people have been reported to have died in their attempt to reach Ceuta by sea.

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Irregular migration adding strain on Ceuta’s reception facilities

There is an ongoing investigation to determine the motives of the suspects arrested, according to a Moroccan security source. More and more arrests are also continuing over the alleged offences. More details on the same can be expected in the coming days.

The large number of people reaching Ceuta in recent months has added considerable strain on the already limited reception facilities in the territory. On Friday, the Temporary Stay Centre (CETI), having 512 places, held around 830 people.

In order to ease pressure on Ceuta, migrants are getting transferred to the Spanish mainland. Last month, a group noted in a X post: “Thank you Ceuta, thank you Spain!,” as they have made it into the ‘Balearia list’ name the after a ferry taking migrants to the mainland.