Dilip Kuner
POLICE have arrested a supporter of Daesh (Islamic State) for his alleged role in radicalising young Muslims in Spain.
The suspect was searching, editing and posting terrorist propaganda to youngsters online.
Guardia Civil officers arrested the Moroccan citizen in Altea on the Costa Blanca saying he was attempting to radicalise and recruit new members for the so-called Islamic State.
The suspect was targeting young people via social networks and, to avoid detection from security services, he was later redirecting them to a private messaging application.
He was then deepening the radicalisation process while sending them more terrorist propaganda material. The man shared the violent outlook of the terrorist group and spread it to those he was seeking to recruit online. A joint operation by the Spanish police and Europol had exposed these terrorism-inspired online activities.
Since 2015, when the terror alert was increased, the Spanish authorities have strengthened their efforts to counter terrorism activities.
More intensified investigative and operative actions specifically target individuals immersed in the radicalisation process. Their terrorism-inspired mindset is a precursor for violent behaviour, an imminent threat to the safety of EU citizens. The efforts of the security services were further enhanced during the current pandemic to counter the possible attempts of terrorist groups to abuse the current situation related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
