Police arrest four suspected jihadi extremists in Spain

In a significant anti-terrorist operation coordinated by the National Police, four individuals believed to be associated with extremist ideologies have been arrested in the municipalities of Huetor-Tajar in Granada, Cubelles in Barcelona, and Madrid. The operation, which took place yesterday (Friday), resulted in the arrest of the suspects on charges of "proselytism and jihadist recruitment."

One of the detainees, who reportedly operated under the alias 'Caliph,' is said to have been instrumental in recruiting individuals, particularly young people, through online channels. The Central Court of Instruction No. 5 of the National Court has taken custody of the suspects, with three of them being ordered into detention.

According to the police statement, the arrested individuals were found to be connected through closed social media groups and had undergone a process of radicalization. The operation was conducted with the support of EUROPOL and involved the General Information Commissioner's Office, as well as the Provincial Information Brigades in the areas where the arrests occurred.

The operation was initiated in 2022 after law enforcement agencies detected the online activities of 'Caliph,' who was allegedly the "creator and administrator of several groups in which he tried to indoctrinate young people in the jihadist creed." He was responsible for motivating his followers and creating private groups where radicals were invited to discuss the terrorist cause openly. These groups were closely monitored by law enforcement, leading to the identification of other members.

Although the group's members did not necessarily know each other in person, they were connected through online networks and were primarily young individuals. Notably, two of these individuals, with the approval of 'Caliph,' entered into a marriage and shared a residence, which marked a turning point in the investigation as their radicalization increased.

At one point, these individuals allegedly recorded videos in which they discussed "spreading blood to recover Al Andalus and restore the Caliphate." The operation was conducted discreetly in light of recent instability in the Gaza Strip due to tensions between Israel and Hamas.

Spain has maintained a Level 4 out of five anti-terrorist alert levels since 2015. Following the recent Hamas attack against Israel on October 7th, the Ministry del Interior ordered police reinforcements in specific "sensitive" areas, including certain embassies and facilities associated with the Jewish community.

Another ongoing operation is focused on monitoring 12 individuals who had resided in Spain but left to fight for the Islamic State and have since returned, currently at large. These individuals fall into the category of "returned foreign terrorist fighters," a classification recognized in United Nations Security Council resolutions as a "serious threat to their States of origin."

In the wake of heightened tensions between Israel and Hamas, the Islamic State issued a call for global attacks, prompting responses from individuals in France and Belgium. Tragically, a man of Chechen nationality attacked a high school teacher in Arras, France, on Friday, October 13th, while shouting "Allahu Akbar." In Brussels, an alleged Islamic State fighter carried out an armed attack, resulting in the death of two individuals and the injury of a taxi driver.

Given the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas and the perpetration of these attacks, EU member states reached an agreement to activate the Integrated Political Crisis Response mechanism. This mechanism will regularly monitor the impact of the conflict on the security of member states. Concerns about a potential rise in radicalization and polarization on European soil were discussed during the Council of Interior Ministers held in Brussels.