Spain refuses to comment on reports that imam behind Barcelona terror attack was an informer for government

THE government has refused to comment on reports that the imam behind the Barcelona terror attacks was once an intelligence agency informer.

El Pais reported that Abdelbaki Es Satty was an informer for the CNI service at least while he was jailed 2010-2014 for drug offences.

The report said the intelligence service made contact with him because he had had previous contact with jihadis.

Government spokesman Inigo Mendez de Vigo said Friday he couldn’t comment because there was a secrecy order on the investigation.

Es Satty was killed at his bomb-making workshop days before the Aug. 17-18 attacks. All of the cell’s members were either killed or jailed.