A 41-year-old man was arrested in Elche (Alicante) for his alleged complicity in a terrorist offence.
During the search of the arrested man’s home, various electronic devices were seized, which, when analysed, revealed the possession and exchange of an enormous amount of audiovisual material linked to jihadist terrorist organisations, with a predominance of material issued by the Islamic State’s official agencies.
The investigation began after a person with links to jihadist extremism was traced in the province of Alicante, who had tried in the past to travel to an area of conflict to join terrorist organisations. Thanks to international police cooperation, it was established that he had attempted to enter Syria or Iraq accompanied by three other persons who had already committed acts of violence. One of these persons was particularly conspicuous as she was considered to be the perpetrator of a terrorist attack in Grozny, Russia, in which 21 people died and 16 others were injured.
The detainee developed an intense and highly targeted propaganda activity on platforms linked to terrorist organisations such as the self-proclaimed Islamic State. In fact, due to his privileged position, he moved on selected platforms for the exchange of jihadist content, where he had access to specific content and in particular to a large number of publications that were considered “textbooks” and were used for the recruitment and indoctrination of other potential terrorists.
In the course of the investigation, it was discovered that this person maintained strict security measures that had so far prevented identification. The detainee also used mobile phone apps that allowed him to anonymise his calls.
After confirming the activity this person was engaged in via jihadist media platforms, an investigation was carried out with the assistance of analysts from the Europol agency, which led to the consolidation of legal proceedings.
The arrested person was handed over to the judicial authority on Tuesday, which ordered his provisional detention.Guardia Civil