In a massive crackdown on extremist networks, the Spanish police have arrested 10 Pakistani nationals on charges of terrorism. The operation aimed to dismantle extremist networks that are involved in inciting violence in the European nation.
🚩Así desarticulábamos una organización terrorista en #Barcelona
➡️11 personas detenidas que fomentaban la comisión de acciones violentas a través de canales cifrados
➡️Tercera fase de una investigación en la que se ha detenido a 30 personas más de una organización radical… pic.twitter.com/UeYcUHMNw5
— Policía Nacional (@policia) March 8, 2025
The Spanish authorities have released an official statement sharing details about the Islamist extremist network. In its official statement, the Spanish authorities stated that the Mossos d’Esquadra (Catalan police), the Spanish National Police, and Italian law enforcement agencies conducted a joint operation to nab these Islamists.
Apart from these 10 Pakistanis, one more suspect was also taken into custody in Italy’s Piacenza city.
The joint operation was conducted on the night of 3rd March on multiple locations. The joint teams raided places including Montcada i Reixac, Sant Adrià de Besòs, Sabadell, and Santa Coloma de Gramenet. The operation comes in line with the earlier arrest of five individuals in 2022 and 14 in 2023, bringing the total tally in this case to 30.
So far, the concerned authorities have dismissed any external connections. According to them, the organization was carrying out its operations from within Spain with a 55-year-old Pakistani citizen being its ringleader.
According to the investigators, these accused were linked to an extremist organization that was using encrypted messaging platforms to dog whistle blasphemy, paint target on anyone’s back by alleging that he/she did blasphemy and glorify violent attacks in the garb of blasphemy in Europe and Pakistan.
Also Read: Blasphemy: An open license to kill non-Muslims in Pakistan
As per reports, some of these Islamists within the network were already identifying specific targets in Europe to attack them. The investigators further revealed that there was a separate online group which was exclusively made up of female members and it was being led by one of the arrested women. This group was also involved in peddling extremist propaganda and selecting potential targets to be attacked in the name of blasphemy.
The investigation has found that this Islamist organization was self-financed and its members made regular contributions to fund its activities.
Following their arrest, the ten arrested individuals were presented before Spain’s Central Investigating Court No. 6 on 6th March. They are facing severe charges related to terrorist financing, recruitment, and aiding and abetting extremism.
