10 Pakistani nationals arrested in Spain on terrorism charges

In a major crackdown on a network involved in promoting terrorism and extremism, Spanish authorities arrested at least 10 Pakistani nationals, including women, in a combined operation with Catalonia Police, Spanish National Police, and Italian law enforcement agencies.

The arrested individuals were accused of inciting violence and spreading extremist ideology through encrypted messaging apps.

The authorities stated that the group was part of an organised network that promoted terrorism and planned targeted attacks across Europe. 

A separate group, led by one of the arrested women, was involved in distributing radical content and identifying potential targets for attacks.

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The arrested individuals were facing charges of supporting, promoting, financing, and recruiting for terrorism.

The arrested individuals were brought to a Spanish court on charges of terrorist funding, recruitment for extremism, and supporting radicalisation. 

Subsequently, four individuals were sent to jail while the other were being investigated. 

According to the Spanish authorities, the investigation did not establish a direct link between the network and international terrorist organisations, but the probe continued.

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The international media reported that the operation against suspects was conducted overnight on March 3, following previous crackdowns in 2022 and 2023, bringing total number of suspects in the case to 30.

It further stated that the group was operating in Spain under its alleged 55-year-old Pakistani national leader.