Spanish police have apprehended an 18-year-old Spaniard of Moroccan descent for his alleged involvement in promoting terrorism online and maintaining connections with radical jihadists abroad.
The arrest took place in Barcelona on March 16, following suspicions of the youth’s ties to the Islamic State group. According to a statement from the Guardia Civil police, the teenager had significant associations with extremists across Asia, Europe, and North America.
Authorities initiated an investigation into the teenager’s activities early last year after discovering his use of encrypted messaging platforms to express support for IS and propagate terrorist ideologies.
“He had been in contact with them for some time, mainly online, exchanging terror manuals and discussing possible targets,” a police source revealed.
The youth, who resided with his family in Barcelona, operated under strict security measures to maintain anonymity online. He actively disseminated jihadist content, including materials related to terrorist activities and bomb-making, through his online profiles.
Furthermore, investigators uncovered the teenager’s engagement with cryptocurrencies, raising suspicions of potential involvement in funding terrorist activities.
Following his arrest, the suspect appeared before a Spanish court on March 19 and was remanded in custody.
Authorities believe that the youth was radicalized through exposure to jihadist propaganda found online, emphasizing the concerning trend of self-radicalization among young individuals.
The operation, conducted in collaboration with intelligence agencies from Spain, Sweden, France, and Europol, underscores the collective efforts to combat terrorism and ensure public safety.
Last year, Spain witnessed a surge in the number of suspected jihadists arrested, with several individuals arrested being increasingly younger.
Six minors and 21 individuals between the ages of 18 and 24 were among those apprehended, according to a report by the Collective of Victims of Terrorism and the International Observatory for Terrorism Studies.
