Madrid, March 9, 2025: Spanish authorities have arrested 10 Pakistani nationals in a large-scale counterterrorism operation targeting an alleged extremist network accused of inciting violence.
According to a statement from Spanish law enforcement, the arrests were carried out in a joint operation involving the Mossos d’Esquadra (Catalan police), the Spanish National Police, and Italian authorities. An additional suspect was apprehended in the Italian city of Piacenza.
The latest detentions took place on March 3 in multiple locations, including Montcada i Reixac, Sant Adrià de Besòs, Sabadell, and Santa Coloma de Gramenet. These arrests follow the detention of five individuals in 2022 and 14 in 2023, bringing the total number of suspects in the case to 30.
Authorities have identified the alleged leader of the group as a 55-year-old Pakistani national and confirmed that the organization operated primarily within Spain, with no established external links.
Investigators have tied the group to an extremist organization that used encrypted messaging platforms to spread violent propaganda, glorify attacks in Europe and Pakistan over accusations of blasphemy, and even identify potential targets in Europe.
Additionally, authorities disclosed that one of the arrested women led a separate online group composed exclusively of female members, allegedly involved in disseminating extremist ideology and assisting in target selection.
The network reportedly financed itself through regular contributions from its members.
On March 6, the 10 suspects appeared before Spain’s Central Investigating Court No. 6 on charges of terrorist financing, recruitment, and aiding extremist activities. The court, in coordination with Spain’s Public Prosecutor’s Office, ordered the detention of four individuals, while the remaining suspects remain under investigation.
Spanish police have reiterated that, despite the group’s presence in Spain, no connections to other international terrorist networks have been confirmed.
