An alleged self-indoctrinated jihadist arrested with the intention of attacking Catalonia

Two mossos d'esquadra, in a file image. Albert Garcia (EL PAÍS)

The Mossos d'Esquadra have reported the arrest of a man, last Friday, accused of self-indoctrination with the intention of attacking Catalonia, before traveling to countries in conflict.

He was in an “advanced process of radicalization with the conviction and purpose of attacking”, assures the Catalan police through a press release.

The man has been admitted to the Foreigners Internment Center (CIE) in the Zona Franca, waiting to be expelled to Morocco for threatening national security.

The investigation, dubbed the Mortar case, began in May, after the police found a grenade from the civil war in a home in Empuriabrava (Girona).

After the bomb squad (Tedax) collected the old weapon, they identified the people who occupied the home.

The investigation proved that a man had bought the grenade, other white weapons and a simulated firearm, according to the Mossos.

From that moment on, the police subjected the individual to control and surveillance.

The investigation concluded that he had "changed his attitude" from him, that he was "more aggressive", as well as "his physical appearance from him" from him and "demonstrated in favor of jihadist terrorist organizations".

The detainee had the will to commit a violent action in Catalonia before going to countries in conflict, according to the Mossos.

The man is accused of a crime of self-training and terrorist indoctrination through the consumption of jihadist propaganda, especially related to martyrdom, the police indicate.

The Mossos affirm that he also carried out an "intense mass dissemination process" of these jihadist contents and messages to third parties "whom he encouraged to commit violent actions."

After being arrested by order of the Central Court of Instruction 1 of the National High Court, in coordination with the Prosecutor's Office, the man was transferred to the Foreigners Internment Center (CIE) in the Free Zone.

There he is awaiting his expulsion, with an open administrative process for threatening national security.

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