National Police agents have been following a suspected individual since December 2022 who publicly praised various jihadist terrorist groups on social networks. The suspect openly expressed strong hostility toward Western countries and any nation that supports Israel, and his activities online reflected a clear pattern of antagonism toward security forces and related authorities. The case drew attention because the individual used his online presence to glorify violence while presenting himself as a vocal advocate for extremist causes.
During ongoing surveillance, investigators observed that the suspect did not limit himself to consuming radical propaganda. He also engaged with channels that disseminated Islamic State messaging and took pains to amplify this material. His goal, as identified by the investigators, was to spread the extremist ideology to as many people as possible, which led him to assume the role of a public speaker for the cause. The scale of his outreach was evident in the large follower base he commanded and the frequency with which he circulated content praising violence in the name of jihad and martyrdom.
Given the influence he wielded among thousands of followers who were drawn into his calls for jihad, authorities decided to act. The operation concluded with the arrest of the suspect at his residence in Barcelona on a Tuesday. A comprehensive search yielded substantial material, including multiple computers, mobile devices, and a range of documents connected to the investigation, all of which were seized for analysis. The seizure underscored the breadth of the digital and physical footprint associated with the suspect’s activities.
Central Instruction Court No. Six of the National Court issued a formal ruling this Friday, ordering the suspect to remain in custody while investigations continue, under charges related to self-education and self-promotion of terrorist propaganda via social media. The coordinated operation involved specialists from the General Information Commissariat of the National Police, the Barcelona and Pamplona Provincial Information Brigades, and the Mossos d’Esquadra, illustrating a cross-agency effort designed to disrupt online radicalization efforts and prevent further recruitment through digital networks. The case highlights the ongoing challenge of monitoring online spaces where extremist content can be created, shared, and amplified, and the critical role that coordinated law enforcement plays in countering such threats. [citation: National Police]