Five detained in Spain from a network supporting DAESH on three continents that has been dismantled

The network would have helped in the planning of at least two attacks that were neutralized by the security forces

MADRID, 16 Dic. (EUROPA PRESS) -

Agents of the National Police have led an anti-terrorist operation in which a support network for the Islamic State (DAESH) in Europe, Africa and Asia has been dismantled, which has resulted in the arrest in Spain of five people, investigated for alleged membership and collaboration with the jihadist organization.

The agents have arrested two people in the province of Valencia and another three in Alicante, Cáceres and Guipúzcoa. Four of those arrested have been imprisoned by court order, as reported this Saturday by the National Police.

This is the second phase of the 'MIYA' operation, started by the General Information Commissariat (CGI) of the Police in 2021 and which has had the collaboration of Intelligence and Security Services from 12 countries, such as the Direction Générale de the Surveillance du Territoire (DGST) of Morocco, the Direction Générale de la Sécurité Intérieure (DGSI) of Algeria, the Direction Générale de la Sûreté Nationale (DGSN) of Mauritania, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the United States, the FEDPOL of Switzerland and EUROPOL.

In Spain, the General Information Commission has had the collaboration of its Provincial Information Brigades of Valencia, Alicante, Cáceres and San Sebastián, as well as the National Intelligence Center (CNI), in an investigation coordinated by the Central Court of Instruction number 6 and the Prosecutor's Office of the National Court.

After a year and a half of investigation, the agents detected that a person of Maghrebi origin and resident in Spain was in contact with a jihadist who had entered Europe through what is known as the Balkan route.

According to the Police, the objective of this jihadist was to reach France to commit an attack on behalf of DAESH, for which the person under investigation in Spain allegedly offered his collaboration.

The jihadist counterterrorism specialists from the General Information Commissariat located in Switzerland the man who intended to attack in France, so they immediately transmitted that information to their colleagues from the FEDPOL, the Swiss police.

Due to the risk posed by this attack plan, a joint operation was launched in Switzerland and Spain that led to the simultaneous arrest in March 2022 of both radicals.

The first phase of the operation resulted in six other arrests in Europe and the Maghreb, bringing the total of those arrested to eight. The detainee in Spain was sentenced for terrorism crimes to two years in prison, and will be released in mid-2023.

Police analysts discovered that the first two detainees were part of an international network of support for DAESH that was based on three continents, hence the decision to begin a joint macro-operation with the Security and Intelligence Services of twelve European countries. Middle East and the Maghreb.

The investigation, which lasted two and a half years, has uncovered a jihadist network supporting DAESH with branches in Afghanistan, the Middle East, the Sahel, the Maghreb and Europe.

Some members of the network tried to indoctrinate new followers in the jihadist creed and support them if they showed a desire to carry out terrorist attacks.

In the police operation it has been detected that this network would have helped in the planning of at least two attacks that were finally neutralized by the action of the security services.

The members of the network were allegedly dedicated to raising funds through the commission of crimes in Europe to finance their terrorist activities. They moved large amounts of money through international shipments and cryptocurrencies. Cryptocurrencies worth almost 200,000 euros have been seized in the searches.

The investigation in Spain has now ended with the arrest of five people. One of those investigated in our country had experienced strong radicalization in recent months and in recent weeks showed his desire to carry out an attack, which accelerated the Police to complete the operation.

During the search of his home, the agents found short gun ammunition and an axe. Manuals for making explosives, manuals for indoctrination of minors and jihadist propaganda have also been seized from those detained.

This operation has involved the dismantling of part of the infrastructure and support channels of DAESH established in Europe, the Middle East and the Maghreb, as well as supporting new followers in their jihadist desires.

The Police point out that the General Information Commissariat has carried out 22 operations so far this year, in which 54 alleged jihadists have been arrested, 36 of them in nine operations carried out in the last two months.