ALICANTE – In conjunction with EUROPOL, the Guardia Civil arrested a 41-year-old man in the Elche area of Alicante on Tuesday. He is alleged of being a jihadist radicaliser, involved in a crime of terrorism.
Investigations revealed that he used various social media and instant messaging platforms to exchange content of a jihadist type
Jihadist ideology
The investigation began when the individual was linked to the jihadist ideology. Furthermore, it was confirmed that the man had seemingly tried to move to a conflict zone at some point in the past. As a result of international police cooperation, it was found that he was attempting to access Syria or Iraq along with 3 other people.
These other people had already carried out acts of violence. One in particular, is thought to be the instigator of a terrorist attack in Grozny (Russia) where 21 died and a further 16 were injured.
Recruitment manuals
According to the Guardia Civil official report, the detainee developed an intense and highly relevant propaganda activity on platforms linked to terrorist organisations. Furthermore, given his privileged position, he found himself on very restricted jihadist content exchange platforms. There he had access to specialised material, and to a huge number of publications considered “instruction manuals”. These would be used for recruitment and indoctrination of other potential terrorists.
Security
Throughout the investigation, the man had adopted strict security measure making it difficult for him to be identified. He also used mobile apps that allowed his calls to remain anonymous.
However, once it was possible to prove the activity he was developing through jihadist media platforms, the investigation began.
Seized
During the arrest and search of the man´s property, several electronic devices were seized. Later, when the police analysed these devices, they were found to contain a massive amount of audiovisual material associated with terrorist networks of a jihadist nature.
Detenido en Alicante a un presunto radicalizador yihadista.
Las investigaciones han sido llevadas a cabo por el Servicio de Información de la Guardia Civil con la colaboración de la agencia EUROPOL.https://t.co/WAHU1YqulQ pic.twitter.com/TzukWotS1N
— Guardia Civil 🇪🇸 (@guardiacivil) June 22, 2022
