Jihadist arrested

AS reported by Spain’s Ministry of the Interior on Friday, January 27, a jihadist arrested in the city of Girona on Wednesday January 25, intended to carry out a massive machine-gunning of tourists on Benidorm’s beaches.

Fath Allah Benhachem Gharrass, a 23-year-old Spanish national of Moroccan origin was jailed without bail.

The arrest of Benhachem was a direct result of a warning from the FBI in America. They warned the Spanish security forces of his degree of radicalism and proselytism in favour of Daesh on social networks. He was also known to be active on the Dark Web, the deep net - work used by criminals and delinquents which is beyond the reach of the majority of internet users.

Specialised National Police and Guardia Civil officers carried out the operation during which the jihadist was detained in the Santa Eugenia neighbourhood of Girona.

It is believed that his intention was to record himself machine-gunning bathers on the beaches in Benidorm and then post the footage on social media networks of the Islamic State. Although no substances were discovered during a search of his home, the detainee was known to have downloaded manuals online with which to train himself in the use of weapons and explosives.