School bomb threat suspect arrested in Morocco, charged by OPP

A person accused in a series of bomb threats that shut down schools across Ontario is facing charges in Canada. 

The individual was arrested by Belgian police in Morocco last month and OPP has now laid charges against the 45-year-old. 

On Nov. 1, a series of bomb threats were made against multiple schools and other public facilities. OPP says that the threatening messages indicated that bombs had been placed at the locations and the suspect demanded money in exchange for details about the alleged explosives. No explosives were found. 

All Timmins-area schools were affected by the threats. While Conseil scolaire catholique de district des Grandes Rivières was the only board that received a bomb threat, schools in the three other local boards were closed as a precaution.

On Nov. 30, Belgian police arrested a suspect in Morocco in connection with a series of bomb threats against schools in Belgium. 

The individual is now also facing charges in Canada. 

El Hachm El Moussi, a 45-year-old from Casablanca, Morocco, is charged with two counts of uttering threats, two counts of mischief, and two counts of extortion. 

The OPP's criminal investigation branch worked with the cybercrime investigations team and Belgian police to investigate the incident and obtain an arrest warrant.

Police are working with the federal department of justice to determine how the accused will appear in an Ontario court.

None of the charges have been proven in court and the accused is considered innocent unless proven guilty.