EFE Catalonia Concentrates 30% of Jihadists in Spain
It is estimated that more than 80% of these mosques in Spain are located in Catalonia, Salafists control one in three mosques, becoming a focus of radicalization.
30% of Jihadists in Spain Are in Catalonia, Raising Concerns Among Authorities. In 2024, 13 of the 49 anti-jihadist operations in the country were carried out in this region.
This represents 25% of the total interventions conducted. The information comes from the International Observatory for Terrorism Studies and the Memorial Center for Victims of Terrorism.
Since 2015, 429 individuals have been arrested for jihadism in Spain. Of these, 124 are from Catalonia, which accounts for 28.9%.
This figure highlights the gap with the second region with the most arrests, Madrid, where 73 individuals (17%) were arrested. The third position is held by Valencia, with 37 detainees (8%).
One of the Main Concerns Is the High Concentration of Salafist Mosques in Catalonia. It is estimated that more than 80% of these mosques in Spain are located in this region. Salafists control one in three mosques in Catalonia, becoming a focal point for radicalization for the local Muslim community.
The Situation Is Worsened by the Permissiveness of Catalan Authorities. Additionally, the dense Muslim population in the region also contributes to this problem. 26% of Moroccans residing in Spain are in Catalonia, which fosters the creation of closed communities prone to radicalization, especially among the youth.
The lack of control in this context is concerning. However, the police have managed to dismantle more than a dozen threats in the past year. This success is attributed to the collaboration between intelligence services and field operations.
In December 2023, Spain Raised Its Anti-Terror Alert to Level 4 Reinforced Out of 5 Due to an Increase in Jihadist Activity. This decision has improved police operations in Catalonia and the rest of the country.
Despite the effective work of the police, there is a persistent sense of lack of control in the political sphere. In Catalonia, there is fear of implementing more forceful measures, fearing the criminalization of certain groups.
Parties like ERC, Junts, CUP, and Comuns have opposed the expulsion of radical imams, arguing that the Spanish state commits political repression and Islamophobia.
The Case of the Recently Expelled Jihadist in Mataró Illustrates the Issue. This individual was monitored by the police since being released in 2022. Despite the risk of recidivism and a sanctioning file against him, the expulsion had not been carried out until now.
The concern increases when considering that this case might not be isolated. If there are more suspects at large and expulsion orders are not enforced, the situation could become more critical.
Recent attacks in France and Germany were carried out by asylum seekers whose expulsion was pending. Authorities in these countries acknowledged errors in their security protocols, and there is fear that a similar scenario could occur in Catalonia.
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