Spanish National Police arrest member of DAESH in Algeciras, who was storing instruction manuals to commit attacks

During the course of this operation, which included the collaboration of an analyst from Europol, his home was also searched.

The detainee, who is being held in prison without bail, was extremely active on social media and messaging groups with the same aim; downloading and storing content in favour of the terrorist group DAESH. Among the material he stored and viewed videos and instruction manuals were found to learn how to carry out attacks. These videos and manuals contained detailed information on how to make home-made explosive devices and carry out attacks with knives and vehicles.

He was able to form part of more than 20 messaging groups on various platforms. Through these he had access to extremely exclusive groups which were only available to those recognised as members of the terrorist group. In these chats, it was possible to communicate with other DAESH members in the combat zone.

Minors armed with the icon of DAESH in their image profile

An example of his level of commitment to the leaders of the terrorist group was his inclusion within highly restricted groups where he had launched threats in Spanish against Spain and a number of its institutions. These threats were written by the leading producers behind the DAESH propaganda machine.

All of the above, coupled with the fact that he made no attempt to hide his affinity for DAESH and his open contempt of western values, revealed the very real threat that the detainee posed. Without regular employment, he spent of his day accessing social networks in a compulsive manner, in order to download, store and read pro-jihadist instruction manuals and videos, spreading his opinions against the western world.

In contrast to other younger people detained who were carrying out illegal activities on social media, the man arrested demonstrated a high level of radicalisation and high degree of self-indoctrination and self-learning. In fact he claimed to live in "Al- Andalus", the previous name for Andalusia, which he said would be reclaimed with the help of Allah. Furthermore, he did not hesitate to use images of the leader of DAESH - Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi - in his profiles, or pictures of armed minors, dressed in paramilitary uniforms bearing emblems of the terrorist group.

During the search of the home of the detainee, officers found a variety of IT material for subsequent analysis, together with evidence of the publication of him swearing an oath of obedience to the Caliph Al Baghdadi, and as such to DAESH. This was further evidence of the threat he posed as this type of oath among members of the terrorist group taking place on European soil has been seen as a preliminary stage to the commission of terrorist attacks.

The operation was carried out under the supervision of Central Criminal Investigation Court No. 3 and was coordinated by the Public Prosecution Service of the Spanish National High Court.

Non official translation