Türkiye's Ambassador to Rabat, Mustafa İlker Kılıç, visited the grave and family of Moroccan Jaouad Merroune, who was martyred in Istanbul by the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) during the coup attempt on July 15, 2016.
Merroune, a Moroccan citizen who lost his life during the vile FETO coup attempt that targeted democracy, national will and constitutional order in Türkiye on the night of July 15, 2016, was commemorated as one of the unforgettable heroes of the friendship and brotherhood relations between Turkey and Morocco on the tenth anniversary of his death.
Ambassador Kılıç, together with Rabat Military Attaché Devrim Ural, visited the house of the Merroune family in Tangier and met with family members.
Kılıç later visited Merroune's grave with his family members and once again emphasized the gratitude, gratitude and loyalty of the Republic of Türkiye and the Turkish nation.
Making evaluations during the visit, Ambassador Kılıç stated that Merroune has become a living symbol of the deep-rooted bonds of friendship and brotherhood between Türkiye and Morocco.
"The sacrifice made by Merroune is an unforgettable example of commitment to common values, democracy and human dignity beyond nationalities. It is our duty, in the face of the greatest sacrifice he made, to ensure that Merroune's name and heroism will always be remembered with respect by future generations as one of the most meaningful symbols of the brotherhood between the two countries. On this occasion, I would like to thank the Kingdom of Morocco once again for the close support and solidarity it provided to our country during the treacherous FETO coup attempt of July 15 and its aftermath."
Jaouad Merroune, who visited Türkiye for the first time in 2008, decided to settle in Istanbul in 2010 and started working as a professional tourist guide.
During the hours when the Turkish nation took to the squares to defend democracy and national will on the night of July 15, Merroune went out to the streets with his Turkish friend without hesitation.
Merroune, who was martyred as a result of the fire opened by FETO members and treacherous coup plotters around the TRT Harbiye building in Istanbul, went down in history as the only foreign national who was martyred on the night of July 15.
Merroune died at the age of 32, before seeing his unborn child.
Merroune's grave, whose body was brought from Türkiye to Morocco and buried in his hometown Tangier, has become a meaningful visit point symbolizing the common memory, mutual loyalty and brotherhood of the people of the two countries.
Merroune's heroism and sacrifice were met with deep respect and gratitude, and he and his family were granted Turkish citizenship so that they could benefit from the rights granted to the relatives of martyrs.