The four young people detained in Elche in December were admirers of the most ruthless jihadists, played violent video games from Al-Qaeda and ISIS, and left behind manuscripts that explicitly discussed “killing Christians.” They were prepared to take a decisive step in their radicalism, but their detention by the police stopped them. The suspects stated that they wanted to name the explosive device the “Mother of Satan,” which was used by the young terrorist cell that carried out the 2017 attacks on Barcelona and Cambrils.

On November 28th, 2024, two of the four minors arrested had a chat about the explosive triacetone triperoxide (TATP), according to counterterrorism effort sources who spoke to El Confidencial. This substance is frequently utilised by jihadist terrorist organisations and is referred to as “the mother of Satan” due to its destructive effects. Investigations by the General Information Commissariat (CGI) of the National Police have shown that the communication covered the desire to acquire the components required to manufacture the explosive.

Extremist pro-jihadist online groups frequently honour past terrorists who used this explosive in their assaults and provide information on how to create TATP. These terrorist groups’ official media also frequently provides guides to persuade any would-be jihadist to conduct out acts in their nations. “Mother of Satan” is extremely sensitive, but it doesn’t require a lot of advanced infrastructure. In the summer of 2017, it was the bomb that the Ripoll jihadists were producing in the Alcanar home on Imam Es Satty’s orders. An unintentional explosion derailed the original plan to use the bomb for a large-scale attack on a famous Barcelona structure, such as the Sagrada Familia. Instead, they chose to launch a deadly mass attack on La Rambla.

This publication claims that the four Elche adolescents were taken into custody by the National Police in mid-December, only a few weeks after the explosives discussion that set off the counterterrorism experts’ alarms. Even at the risk of earning lighter court punishments, security agencies have long depended on preemptive measures like these before it’s too late. According to the sources consulted, there was concern that the Basilica of Santa María in the town of Alicante might be attacked by this self-indoctrinated cell.

The children are alleged to have self-indoctrinated terrorists. On some of their Facebook and TikTok profiles, they left behind signs of their growth. They uploaded terrorist organisations’ propaganda. A handcrafted collage of articles about John the Jihadi, a charismatic member of the British-born terrorist group DAESH, who is well-known for appearing in graphic execution films, was discovered among the possessions of one of the individuals when the officers searched their homes. Additionally, a notebook contained handwritten writings with references to jihad that called for the murder of Christians and unbelievers. This young terrorist group was composed of minors, and the National Police were able to identify how they discussed their plans with a strong radical bent by intercepting their conversations. One of the inmates’ defence lawyers tried to minimise these exchanges by claiming in his appeal that they were “nothing more than conversations between teenagers.”

He also said it was typical for the captives to watch violent extremist films. He said that “viewing images is normal considering the content of video games on the market.” Supporters of jihadist organisations have created online personas and games featuring terrorist insignia, such as the one depicted in this article, in recent years. Experts in the battle against this phenomena caution that it is just another recruitment tactic.

In attempt to persuade the court to release him because there was no flight danger, one of the people detained in Elche also stated that he lived a peaceful life with his parents. His case shows that there are no distinct characteristics among the young people who are being looked into for jihadist terrorism, as seen by his strong high school scores. At the request of the Prosecutor’s Office, the four were sent from Elche to Madrid, especially to the Teresa de Calcuta juvenile centre.