Ouarzazate’s law enforcement arrested on January 1 a Moroccan individual for his alleged involvement in the kidnapping and assault of an American national, reported Maghreb Arab Press agency (MAP).

On Monday, the city’s security forces got a phone call from a person stating she had received an email from a US national she knew. In the email, the correspondent claimed to have been kidnapped and subjected to violence by an individual in a house in Ouarzazate, according to a statement by the General Directorate of National Security (DGSN).

The statement added that investigations conducted by the security services, backed by scientific and technical expertise, made it possible for police officials to identify the place of detention of the 61-year old victim and arrest the suspect.

Initial findings of the investigation revealed that the suspect’s criminal record was clear. The DGSN added that the suspect accompanied the victim to the hotel where she resided, before taking her a few days ago to a rental apartment in the city of Ouarzazate. The 29-year old allegedly prevented the victim from leaving the house and subjected her to violence.

Investigations are still underway to determine the circumstances of this case.