Costa Blanca

Elche jihadists arrested

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.

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Related Topics:Alicante Attack Attacks Barcelona Children Court Elche Madrid Market Murder National People Police

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Costa Blanca

Arrested for violating restraining order and threatening the police

A man was taken into custody by the Meliana Local Police on Monday morning, March 24th, for violating a restraining order after being informed that a couple was having a heated quarrel outside a town’s restaurant. The officers showed up right away, and after stopping the taxi he was attempting to take to get out, they were able to confirm that the man had a restraining order against the victim for a crime of abuse from Benidorm’s Court of Instruction No. 3 when they asked for background information.

With the help of Tavernes Blanques members of the Guardia Civil, the officers went ahead and arrested him. Even threatening to kill the police in action, the detainee put up a fierce fight. He has already been taken before the courts and the relevant police procedures have been completed.

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Costa Blanca

This weekend ComarCON will take place in Torrevieja

This coming weekend, on Saturday, April 29th, and Sunday, April 30th, the Torrevieja Sports Palace will host the annual ComarCON’25 event. With free entrance and countless hours of pleasure, it provides a vast array of alternative leisure activities for people of all ages.

The La Comarca Youth Association organises ComarCON, an alternative entertainment festival, every year. Contests, workshops, exhibitions, talks, tournaments, free play, and much more can be found in the form of anime, manga, tabletop and live role-playing, video games, TCGs, wargames, board games, cosplay, artists, soft combat, K-Pop, and much more.

This session will include a performance by “The Lantern Man,” the ants from the TV series “El Hormiguero,” and Sheila, McGonacat, JennRoyal, SheronZ, SaencSa, and José Meco, who are all from the University of Alicante in Torrevieja. The finest cosplay will get prizes from Green Stuff World, which are worth 200 euros plus materials.

It all started on May 25th, 2013, when a modest gathering was planned. With about 7,000 attendees at its most recent edition, it has developed over the years into one of Spain’s biggest free alternative leisure events. Over 120 thrilling activities are available for attendees to partake in over the course of the weekend. On Saturday, beginning at 10:00 a.m., attendees can learn about things like:

Play role-playing games and go on amazing adventures in made-up worlds. Are you a crafty wizard or a valiant warrior? You have a choice!

Workshops: Acquire new abilities, such as character development and art.

Talks: Listen to professionals in the field of alternative entertainment discuss their experiences and expertise.

Soft Combat: Try your skills in friendly foam sword duelling.

View more than 300 board games in the Giant Game Library.

There is something for everyone, including both contemporary and vintage titles. ComarCON is a community, not just an event. Share your love of games and creativity by coming by yourself or with others.

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Costa Blanca

Cold water to fight the heat on Benidorm’s streets

Three places across the municipality now have chilled drinking water fountains installed by Benidorm City Council. The City Council and Hidraqua, the city’s Integrated Water Cycle concessionaire, are working together on this project as part of a trial project. “Facilitate the availability of tap water to residents and tourists in highly frequented public spaces,” Mayor Toni Pérez said yesterday, Monday 24th March, when describing the project’s objectives.

Together with José Ramón González de Zárate, the councillor for water cycle, local government representatives, and business representatives, the mayor paid a visit to the first of these installed fountains. Since last year, the service has been offered in Alicante, and on Monday, three further fountains were unveiled at l’Alfàs del Pi.

Two more fountains will be placed this week in Séquia Mare Park and Plaza del Torrejó, which is opposite to the Tourist Office. The first fountain in Benidorm is situated on Avenida Armada Española at its intersection with Avenida Racharell. Connected to the municipal drinking water supply network, the three chilled drinking water fountains are designed to provide households with water.

Toni Pérez pointed out that the campaign “promotes the consumption of tap water as a safe and healthy option and, at the same time, reduces the generation of plastic waste associated with single-use water bottles.” The mayor further underlined that doing so “reduces the environmental impact and contributes to building a more sustainable future.”

The pumps in question include a cooling system to give users cold water, and they are directly fed from the municipal drinking water network. They have a drain exit to remove extra water and an electrical connection to run the cooling system. Additionally, they are constructed from materials that are resistant to weather and vandalism and are created to be accessible to those with limited mobility.