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Date Published: 10/04/2024

Suspected Belgian terrorist arrested in Spain amid Champions League attack fears

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Threats to “Kill them all” appeared in jihadi media hours before two knock-out round matches in Madrid

Suspected Belgian terrorist arrested in Spain amid Champions League attack fears

A young Belgian man was arrested in Madrid on Tuesday April 9 carrying an arsenal of different weapons disguised in his luggage. The suspect, aged 26 and named only as ‘Adil’, was picked up by the National Police as he prepared to board a public bus at Madrid's southern bus station, Méndez Alvaro.

He was reportedly headed for France, having reached the Spanish capital earlier that day via Málaga. Among the confiscated weapons were a G-3 style assault rifle with 7.62mm calibre, three loaded magazines, a 9mm pistol and three bulletproof vests.

The detainee faces charges related to murder, armed robbery and kidnapping in Belgium. Though specific details of the alleged murders have not been disclosed, investigators consider it likely that he is tied to organised crime rings in his home country and further afield.

At the time of his arrest, tensions were already running extremely high in Spain due to terrorist threats against UEFA Champions League matches happening in Madrid on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Interior Ministry intensified security measures and monitoring systems, responding to jihadi propaganda circulating online promoting the slogan "Kill them all" accompanied by the names of four football venues, including the Santiago Bernabeú and Civitas Metropolitano Stadiums in Madrid. London and Paris matches were also singled out.

The threats were first posted on several platforms used by the Islamic State before being shared far and wide on mainstream social networking sites. However, in the run-up to the games, the Spanish government assured ticket holders that the posts were meant to create a climate of alarm rather than signifying any real threat.

Nevertheless, incidents such as these are always treated with the utmost seriousness, and more than 2,000 additional officers from the National Police and Guardia Civil were deployed to the venues to keep watch.

More than 8,000 visiting supporters descended on the Spanish capital for the two Champions League knock-out round matches.

In other news: British tourist critically injured after fall from third floor in Mallorca

Image: Zaqarbal via Wikimedia Commons

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