The National Police arrested two men on Tuesday in Gipuzkoa and Avilés who were not related, but whose behavior raised concerns about the possibility of them turning their support for the Islamic State (ISIS) on social media into violent actions. The man arrested in the Basque Country, a 42-year-old construction worker, was believed to have a high conviction to commit a violent act, leading investigators to suspect he may have been receiving instructions from the central command of the jihadist group. The man from Asturias, who had served time in prison for robbery and drug trafficking, had suicidal ideations and openly expressed hatred towards the Western world. Both men have been remanded in custody by the Central Examining Court number 5 of the National Court.
The man arrested in Itsadondo, Gipuzkoa, was actively involved in radicalizing himself towards jihadism, creating and sharing numerous pro-ISIS posts on social media. He had contacts with jihadist profiles in conflict zones and consumed a significant amount of violent and extremist material. He praised the mujahideen and expressed a desire to participate in jihad and become a martyr. The Moroccan origin man took precautions to avoid detection by using secure browsing software and was being investigated for his involvement in self-indoctrination and terrorism training. During his arrest, the police seized multiple electronic devices from his home and vehicles, which are currently being analyzed.
The detainee from Avilés, also of Moroccan descent, had been on the police’s radar since the beginning of the year. He resided with his girlfriend in the city center and had adopted the jihadist ideology, actively posting videos promoting jihad and expressing his hatred towards the Western way of life on social media. He called for actions such as the uprising of Muslims in Melilla and made pro-Palestinian statements. Like the other arrestee, his ideas of martyrdom prompted the police operation, leading to the seizure of electronic devices from his residences. He is being investigated for self-indoctrination, training, and terrorism glorification, with his arrest considered a neutralization of a threat to national security.
The investigation into both men involved the participation of the Asturias Information Brigade. The authorities emphasized the potential danger posed by individuals in advanced stages of radicalization who actively promote extremist ideologies on social media. The cases highlight the significance of monitoring and intervention in preventing the transition from online radicalization to real-world violent acts. The detentions reflect the ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to combat terrorism and safeguard public safety in the face of evolving threats posed by individuals inspired by extremist ideologies. The implications of these arrests extend to the wider context of counterterrorism strategies and the importance of cooperation and vigilance in identifying and neutralizing potential threats.
