Rachid Rafaa
Local police have been put on high alert after an alleged jihadist from Morocco escaped house arrest in neighbouring Martinique on Wednesday and remains on the run.
Police officials here are currently being briefed on the case and will activate various strategies to reduce the chances of having the escaped prisoner enter Saint Lucia.
However, police have admitted that the borders here are very porous and every precaution must be taken to protect the country and its citizens from danger.
Rachid Rafaa, from Morocco, is said to be linked to a senior member of the Islamist militant organization which aims to overthrow the government in Algeria.
It is reported that Rafaa used his computer skills to disseminate information on the internet on behalf of al-Queda in Islamic Maghgreb.
He was arrested in France and transferred to Martinique after the European Court of Human Rights decided not to extradite him to Morocco for fear he may be tortured.
He has been under house arrest in Morne Rouge since May 2014.
The police in Martinique have issued a warning on social media of the matter. They told residents to call the authorities if Rafaa is seen and should not attempt to intervene as he is considered dangerous.
According to French media reports, Rafaa is 40 years old, very thin, has an oval-shaped face with black eyes, brown wavy hair.
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