Moroccan and Spanish security forces in a joint counter-terrorism operation apprehended two individuals, one a minor, in the Spanish enclave of Melilla on apprehension of ties to jihadist terrorism. The detentions were executed by Spain’s National Police with help from Morocco’s General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance (DGST), which engaged in raids at three locations in the North African city.
As reported by authorities the two suspects were detained under the control of Spain’s National Court and flown to Madrid to confront a judge handling the case. Spanish police express the pair will likely face charges connected to indoctrination, training and promoting terrorism. A few other particulars about the suspects have been revealed. The Melilla operation comes on the heels of two other jihadist-related detentions by Spanish police.
In separate happenings, Iberian authorities confined one man in Avilés, Asturias for allegedly distributing Islamic State (ISIS) propaganda and calling for aggression, while another was captured in Itsasondo, Gipuzkoa on suspicion of indoctrination and conditioning for terrorism. The Avilés suspect was remanded to lock up.
Spanish police state they started tracking the individuals earlier this year after noticing a subject aligned with ISIS who was making and disseminating radical, fierce jihadist material on social media. The ensuing inquiry and arrests were performed under the surveillance of Spain’s Central Court of Instruction No. 1 and blended with prosecutors.
The operations emphasise the continuing threat posed by jihadist radicalization, usually targeting youth, as well as the key function played by online platforms. Spanish officials have previously cautioned of terrorist groups using techniques like video games to attract and communicate with young draftees. The North African country’s DGST intelligence service, which helped the operation, has been instrumental in supporting the Spanish police detention of numerous terrorist suspects in recent years through joint actions.
Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska hailed the two nations’ counterterrorism cooperation as “exceptional and extraordinary.” Speaking at a security event, he highlighted the shared commitment and confidence in jointly tackling threats like organized crime and terrorism, calling collaboration essential for addressing today’s global challenges.
