Imogen Calderwood
POLICE have seized four suspected members of an Islamist militant network in Ceuta, Spain’s North African enclave.
Two Moroccans and two Spaniards were arrested in dawn raids on two properties.
Police said that the men had a ‘similar profile’ to those who carried out the recent attacks in Paris.
They added that the men were ‘prepared and willing’ to carry out terror attacks in Spain.
A total of 50 suspected jihadists have been arrested by Spanish police in the past year, according to the interior ministry.
Spanish Interior Minister Jorge Fernandez Diaz added that the men arrested on Saturday were two pairs of brothers who were ‘highly radicalised and highly trained’.
Moroccan and Spanish police also seized a pistol, combat uniforms, machetes, number plates, documents and computer equipment in the raids.
According to police, the men had been inspired by internet propaganda released by the jihadist Islamic State group.
But the ministry made no connection between the latest arrests and the continuing investigations into last month’s attacks in Paris, despite revelations that one of the attackers travelled to Madrid.
Spain has stepped up security in an effort to avoid the radicalization of young Muslim citizens.
