A suspected jihadist accused of encouraging his online followers to carry out attacks has been jailed following his arrest in Madrid.

In a separate operation, a man acting as an imam in Lepe, Huelva, was deported to Morocco on Friday after investigators accused him of spreading radical messages and promoting social segregation.

The Policia Nacional said the Madrid suspect was in an ‘advanced state of radicalisation’ and had expressed a ‘desire to die for the jihadist cause’.

Investigators believe he was mobilising his online community to commit violent acts.

Police shared footage showing officers escorting the hooded suspect from a building.

In Huelva, a joint investigation by the Guardia Civil and Spain’s intelligence service, the CNI, focused on a man allegedly using his religious authority to spread extremist views.

According to the Guardia Civil, he used his influence within a religious community in Lepe to promote segregation, rejection of certain democratic values and ideological confrontation with the surrounding society.

Investigators said his position of authority gave him influence over a significant number of worshippers.

They also reported the repeated dissemination of material consistent with radicalisation and ‘contrary to principles of coexistence, integration and respect.’

An administrative procedure over alleged activities contrary to national security resulted in his deportation to Morocco on November 13.

The removal was coordinated by the Guardia Civil and the Policia Nacional’s immigration and borders unit in Huelva.

Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.