A group of individuals who supported ISIS, were involved in criminal activities, and transacted using crypto were taken down by Spanish authorities. Spain’s National Police arrested five suspects after a long investigation lasting over two years.
During this time, the group allegedly planned two terrorist attacks and used cryptocurrencies, obtained from European criminal activities, to fund jihadists. The police managed to confiscate €200,000 worth of cryptocurrency from the group.
The arrests were made in Valencia (2), Cáceres, Alicante, and Guipúzcoa. Four of the suspects have been remanded in custody by court order.
During the arrest, one person was found with ammunition and an axe at home. Additionally, materials promoting extremist beliefs and guides on making explosives were confiscated from the arrested individuals.
An investigation started in Spain when authorities found out that someone there was working with a jihadist who planned to carry out a terrorist attack in France. Because of this, Spain and Switzerland worked together and arrested eight people.
Spanish authorities discovered that two key individuals were part of a larger ISIS support network spanning three continents.
Following this finding, Spanish police collaborated with law enforcement from twelve countries across Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa to conduct a coordinated anti-terrorism operation, resulting in arrests last Saturday.
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