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Spain arrests two Sahrawis from Tindouf on terrorism charges

14:33
Spain arrests two Sahrawis from Tindouf on terrorism charges

Two suspects linked to jihadist groups

Spanish authorities arrested two young Sahrawis from the Tindouf camps on terrorism-related charges in the Basque Country. The arrests took place in the Álava region, where the suspects were detained on accusations of collaborating with jihadist organizations and glorifying terrorism.

The suspects appeared before Spain’s National Court in Madrid, which oversees terrorism cases. After the hearing, the court placed one suspect in pre-trial detention and released the other under judicial control.

Spanish media, particularly in the Basque region, have refrained from disclosing the origin of the suspects. However, Moroccan sources cited by multiple reports claim that one of them is closely linked to Khatri Addouh, the Polisario Front’s new ambassador to Algeria.

Polisario pressure on Spanish media

The same sources suggest that Polisario representatives in Spain have exerted pressure on local media to prevent the identification of the suspects as coming from the Tindouf camps.

The incident has renewed concerns over radicalization within the camps, a subject that has attracted growing attention. In recent months, several American think tanks and political leaders have urged Washington to classify the Polisario Front as a terrorist group.

Rising political tensions in Spain

Meanwhile, the arrests come amid a contentious political debate in Spain over a proposed law granting nationality to Sahrawis born during the Spanish colonial period in Sahara.

The proposal, initiated by the far-left Sumar party, has created divisions within the ruling coalition. The Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) has opposed the plan, particularly the recognition of Polisario-issued identity documents and the easing of naturalization procedures for Sahrawis.

Despite PSOE’s resistance, the proposal was approved in parliament, fueling further friction within the Spanish political landscape.

 


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