Two mixed martial arts (MMA) experts linked to jihadist extremist ideology have been arrested in Madrid, Spanish National Police have confirmed.
The two men were detained on Tuesday and are accused of offences including self-radicalisation, radicalising others, distributing extremist material and document forgery.
One of the suspects was known on social media as an MMA instructor who gave classes at several gyms across the Madrid region. Police say he had even competed internationally under a sports federation.
Both suspects appeared before a judge on Friday morning, who ordered their immediate detention pending further investigation.
During the operation, officers carried out two house searches where they seized a replica firearm and various documents that are now being analysed.
Investigators said one of the men showed an advanced level of radicalisation, expressing strong support for global violent jihad and displaying deep antisemitic views in material he consumed and shared online.
Police said he used both open social media platforms and private online channels to spread extremist messages praising martyrdom and promoting the imposition of Islamic law in society.
The second suspect allegedly played a key role in distributing jihadist propaganda and helping spread radical ideology among others.
During the investigation, officers also detected a possible offence related to document forgery, involving the use of Ukrainian identification documents believed to have been obtained illegally.
The investigation was carried out by Spain’s General Information Commissariat under the supervision of the National Court.
