Spanish authorities have arrested 10 Pakistani nationals in Barcelona on charges of terrorism, accusing them of inciting killings and beheadings of their opponents.
According to investigators, the suspects were part of an organized criminal network that used messaging groups to issue violent orders.
The operation, carried out jointly by Catalonia’s police force (Mossos d’Esquadra), the Spanish National Police, and Italian authorities, led to the arrest of 10 individuals in Barcelona and one in the Italian city of Piacenza.
Spanish police stated that the operation took place on the night of March 3, following previous investigations that had resulted in the arrest of five individuals in 2022 and fourteen in 2023.
The latest arrests occurred in Montcada i Reixac, Sant Adrià de Besòs, Sabadell, and Santa Coloma de Gramenet. Investigators revealed that the network was linked to an extremist group and was highly structured, spreading violent messages through messaging apps. Some members had begun identifying potential targets in Europe.
Additionally, the group reportedly praised individuals who had carried out attacks in Europe and Pakistan over alleged blasphemy.
Authorities also discovered a messaging group, led by one of the arrested women, which was exclusively for women. The group’s purpose was not only to spread extremist ideology but also to identify potential targets for future attacks.
Investigators confirmed that the suspects were part of a terrorist organization that financed itself through donations collected from its own members.
On March 6, the ten arrested individuals were presented before Spain’s Central Investigation Court No. 6, facing charges of supporting, promoting, financing, and recruiting for terrorism, as well as preliminary steps taken to identify potential targets.
The case is being overseen by a judge from Spain’s National Court, who, in coordination with the public prosecutor’s office, has ordered the detention of four of the accused.