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Spain arrests eight in 'ISIS cell' | Spain arrests eight in 'ISIS cell' |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Spanish police say they have detained eight people on suspicion of recruiting militants to fight in Syria and Iraq. | Spanish police say they have detained eight people on suspicion of recruiting militants to fight in Syria and Iraq. |
They suspect the cell of trying to send people to join the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS), a jihadist militant group. | |
Raids were carried out in Madrid in the early hours of Monday, officials say. | Raids were carried out in Madrid in the early hours of Monday, officials say. |
The cell's leader was once held at the US detention centre at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba after being arrested in Afghanistan, a statement said. | |
Unconfirmed reports in Spanish media named him as Lahcen Ikasrrien, a Moroccan national who was released on his return to Spain in 2005 for lack of evidence. | |
One of the seven other people arrested is believed to be from Spain. Another is from Argentina and the remaining five from Morocco. | |
Police were also reported to be hunting the brother of one of the Madrid bombers. Attacks carried by Islamist militants on four trains in March 2004 left 191 people dead and another 1,800 people hurt. | Police were also reported to be hunting the brother of one of the Madrid bombers. Attacks carried by Islamist militants on four trains in March 2004 left 191 people dead and another 1,800 people hurt. |
Spanish police have carried out a series of raids against suspected militants in recent months. | Spanish police have carried out a series of raids against suspected militants in recent months. |
A number of people were arrested last month in Spain's north African enclave of Melilla on suspicion of trying to recruit fighters for Islamist militant groups in Libya and Mali. | A number of people were arrested last month in Spain's north African enclave of Melilla on suspicion of trying to recruit fighters for Islamist militant groups in Libya and Mali. |
Although Monday's arrests were not thought to be linked to potential domestic attacks, Spanish police are said to be stepping up security ahead of the proclamation of Prince Felipe as king later this week. | Although Monday's arrests were not thought to be linked to potential domestic attacks, Spanish police are said to be stepping up security ahead of the proclamation of Prince Felipe as king later this week. |
Spain is, however, concerned about the threat of "blowback" from the conflict in Syria and the Sunni rebel offensive led by ISIS in Iraq, which has led to the capture of a number of towns and cities. |