ISIS-Linked Cell Arrested in Spain Planned Attacks on Real Madrid and Major Sports Events

The Civil Guard, in collaboration with Europol and the FBI, has put an end to the activities of this cell that was spreading pro-Daesh propaganda. According to El Confidencial, the Foundation was disseminating pro-Daesh content through "radio stations, press agencies, audiovisual production companies and social media profiles". In total, nine people, presumed members of this network, were arrested in Salt (Girona), Algeciras (Cádiz), Anta (Almería) and Tenerife.

During this operation, the agents seized posters that incited attacks on the bus of the Real Madrid team as well as the supporters who usually position themselves to welcome the players. "My dear brother. Wait in a place close to the players’ arrival point. Target them and their supporters," reads the poster showing a masked man shooting with a telescopic rifle at the vehicle of the Madrid team.

Another poster invited the supporters of the terrorist group to carry out an attack against the Santiago Bernabéu, Real’s stadium. "My dear brother from Al-Andalus. A high-value target awaits you. Make your way through the crowd, divert the attention of security with improvised explosives and decoys, and advance towards your main target with determination," the message states.

With a third poster on which the slogan "Score the last goal!" is written, the pro-Daesh group called for attacks to be carried out during the European Cup taking place in Germany, proposing to attack the stadiums in Berlin, Munich and Dortmund. The center also invited to carry out attacks during the upcoming Paris Olympics. On this last poster, an image of the Eiffel Tower targeted by a drone appears, accompanied by the caption "A gift".