At least 10 people have been arrested in a major anti-terror operation carried out across several Spanish provinces, including Malaga.
The arrests were also made in Alicante, Barcelona, Murcia and Madrid as part of a large-scale operation led by Spain’s General Information Commissariat, the specialist branch of the Policia Nacional responsible for counter-terrorism investigations.
All of those detained are expected to appear before the Audiencia Nacional on Friday.
Authorities have not yet released details regarding the identities of those arrested, the exact number of properties searched, or the specific offences under investigation.
Elite police units involved
The operation involved a significant deployment of officers from the counter-terrorism division, supported by specialist units including the elite GEO tactical team.
Sources said further arrests cannot be ruled out in the coming days.
All of the suspects arrested so far are men and have already undergone initial police questioning.
According to reports, investigators believe the group was operating at a higher level than typical online radicalisation or recruitment networks.
While authorities have not officially confirmed the precise allegations, sources suggest the suspects possessed a more advanced operational capability than individuals normally targeted in routine anti-jihadist investigations.
Malaga central to counter-terrorism efforts
The operation once again places Malaga at the centre of Spain’s ongoing fight against Islamist extremism.
According to Interior Ministry data, Malaga has recorded more anti-jihadist operations and arrests than any other province in Andalucia since national records began in 2012.
Official figures published before this latest operation showed 15 anti-terror investigations and 17 arrests linked to jihadist activity in the province over the past 14 years.
Most of those arrests occurred in Malaga city, although operations have also been carried out in Marbella, Estepona, Torremolinos, Manilva and Rincon de la Victoria.
Tarifa arrest
The latest operation follows the arrest of a young Spanish convert to radical Islam in Tarifa on May 11.
Investigators alleged the suspect had become increasingly radicalised by propaganda linked to the so-called Islamic State and had expressed hatred towards Spain while studying major terrorist attacks carried out in France.
Sources currently believe that arrest is unrelated to this week’s operation, which appears to target a separate criminal network.
Nationwide, Spain’s Interior Ministry has recorded 452 anti-jihadist operations and 788 arrests since 2012.
As of April 27 this year, authorities had already carried out 27 operations resulting in 37 arrests linked to jihadist terrorism across the country.
The investigation continues.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
