News Desk
BARCELONA: In a significant counter-terrorism operation, 10 Pakistanis have been arrested in Barcelona on charges of terrorism, accused of inciting violence, including the murder and beheading of their opponents.
Authorities discovered that the suspects were part of a well-organized criminal network that used messaging groups to issue violent directives. The arrests were made during a joint operation carried out by Mossos d’Esquadra (Catalonia’s police), Spanish National Police, and Italian Police. One suspect was also arrested in Piacenza, Italy.
According to a statement from the Spanish police, the operation took place on the night of March 3, following an investigation that led to the arrest of five individuals in 2022 and 14 more in 2023.
The ten individuals arrested on March 6 were located in various locations, including Montcada i Reixac, Sant Adrià de Besòs, Sabadell, and Santa Coloma de Gramenet. The suspects were believed to be linked to an extremist group, which is alleged to have been spreading violent messages against perceived opponents using messaging apps.
The investigation revealed that the group was highly organized and hierarchically structured, with some members beginning to identify potential targets in Europe. Posts shared by the group also celebrated individuals involved in attacks in both Europe and Pakistan under allegations of blasphemy.
Furthermore, authorities discovered a female-only messaging group, led by one of the arrested women. This group was not only promoting extremist ideologies but also identifying potential targets for future attacks. The investigation has confirmed that the arrested individuals were part of a terrorist organization that financed its activities through donations from its own members.
On Thursday, March 6, the arrested suspects were presented before Court No. 6 of the Central Investigating Court, where they faced charges of terrorism support, propaganda, funding, and recruitment. Investigations are ongoing into the initial steps taken by the suspects to identify potential targets. The hearing is being overseen by the court judge, who, in collaboration with Spain’s National Court Public Prosecutor’s Office, has ordered the detention of four individuals.
