Spanish authorities have arrested 10 Pakistani nationals in Barcelona on terrorism-related charges. The suspects were allegedly linked to an organised criminal network promoting extremist ideologies and issuing violent directives through encrypted messaging platforms. Another suspect was detained in the Italian city of Piacenza as part of the same investigation.
The arrests were part of a joint operation conducted on the night of March 3 by Spain’s National Police, the Mossos d’Esquadra (Catalan police), and Italian law enforcement. This latest crackdown follows previous arrests of five individuals in 2022 and 14 in 2023, bringing the total number of detainees in this case to 30.
Extremist Activities and Allegations
According to officials, the suspects were part of a radical group that encouraged violent acts, including killings and beheadings of opponents. The group’s leader is reportedly a 55-year-old Pakistani national. While Spanish authorities have ruled out international terrorist links, reports suggest the organisation was self-funded, with members contributing financially to sustain its activities.
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Investigators linked the network to extremist elements that praised attacks in Europe and Pakistan over blasphemy-related issues. Some members had reportedly started identifying potential targets across Europe, raising concerns about the group’s operational reach.
Women-Led Extremist Network Uncovered
Authorities also discovered a separate online group led by one of the arrested women. This group, consisting solely of female members, was allegedly involved in spreading extremist propaganda and assisting in target selection.
The use of encrypted messaging apps to share violent directives and radical content was a key strategy of both groups. Officials believe this allowed them to operate discreetly while inciting extremism and recruiting new members.
Legal Proceedings and Detentions
On March 6, the suspects appeared before Spain’s Central Investigative Court No. 6. They face charges including terrorist financing, recruitment, and incitement to extremism. The court ordered the detention of four individuals, while the remaining suspects remain under investigation.
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Despite the group’s operations being based in Spain, authorities have emphasized that no direct connections to other international terrorist networks have been found so far. Investigations remain ongoing as law enforcement agencies work to dismantle any remaining elements of the extremist network.