The 2022 data compiled by the International Observatory for Terrorism Studies highlights notable deviations from common profiles. One striking pattern is the involvement of women in jihadist activities, alongside a wide age range among those arrested. A case from the Valencia region drew particular attention due to the age and role of the individuals involved. A woman identified as Cristina Amparo B. received a five year sentence for financing a terrorist organization. This case underscores the heterogeneity of suspects and challenges the assumption that jihadism follows a single archetype.
The report notes that the arrest of an older woman in San Antonio de Benagéber in April 2022 reinforced the idea that there is no single jihadist profile. The events also point to a pattern where some individuals move into radicalization later in life, subverting expectations of age-related risk.
In 2022, the youngest person linked to Islamic extremism in Spain was a 15 year old arrested in Algete, Madrid, in June. This teenager had begun engaging in jihadist propaganda as early as age 12, and authorities seized a large collection of propaganda material related to ISIS during the investigation. The case emphasizes the role of online materials in spreading extremist messaging across age groups.
Women and jihadism in focus
Four key features emerge from the report, including how female involvement has a disproportionate impact on recruitment. Women play a significant role in creating and disseminating propaganda and can act as catalysts for radicalization in others. Among the 46 arrests reported last year, four were women, showing a modest share but a visible presence that contrasts with prior years when no women were reported in similar cases. The data from 2021 show no related arrests of women in Spain for jihadism, highlighting a shift in recent years.
The oldest and the youngest arrested in 2022
The oldest individual linked to jihadist activities in 2022 was 72 years old, while the youngest was just 15. This range illustrates how radicalization can affect diverse age groups, challenging stereotypes about who becomes involved in extremist networks. Female suspects share a common pattern of active engagement in recruiting and propaganda, often serving as a bridge to new followers. One case involved a young woman who contributed funds to a terrorist organization and planned to travel to conflict zones, with she also using social networks to connect with others sharing extremist views.
The nickname Fallera associated with a cook who combined social participation with radical ideology highlights how personal backgrounds can blend with extremist aims. The case from Cullera, Valencia, involved a sentence of five years for financing terrorism, reflecting the seriousness with which authorities respond to such actions.
In Maria’s case, a 70-something individual from San Antonio de Benagéber was identified as having progressed from an audience for propaganda to active preaching and indoctrination. Investigators suggest that the person consumed online content and engaged in face-to-face outreach, illustrating a transition from consumer to distributor of extremist material.
Operation overview against jihadism in Spain
The Observatory report for 2022 records 27 operations against jihadism on national soil, resulting in 46 arrests. This marks the highest annual tally since 2017, when 32 operations led to 58 arrests. The Mediterranean region shows the largest share of interventions, with Catalonia recording the most operations. In the Valencian Community, Valencia itself and Alicante each saw multiple actions as part of the national effort against jihadist networks.
In June, another arrest occurred in the Alicante region, where a 41-year-old man from Elche was intercepted as he planned to travel to Syria following an alleged terrorist act. Law enforcement collaborated with national intelligence to monitor this individual, highlighting interagency cooperation in countering radicalization and violence.
Across these operations, authorities emphasize the importance of continuous monitoring and community engagement to prevent recruitment and support for extremist causes. The sequence of events in 2022 demonstrates how online and offline networks can work in tandem, requiring a broad, coordinated response from security services, policymakers, and civil society.