October 24, 2007

Spain Arrests 6 Cyber Jihadis

In Europe precedent is slowly being set, in one little known case after another, of online jihadis being prosecuted. We certainly hope the U.S. will begin to follow suit.

The extent of the crimes committed by cyber jihadis varies greatly---from propagandist for the enemy during a time of war to actual members of the terror organizations they support. But all of the cyber jihadis consider themselves mujahideen involved in warfare. Isn't it about time that we did the same?

CNN:

Six suspected Islamic militants were Wednesday arrested in northern Spain on suspicion of using the Internet to recruit for and plot a 'world jihad,' a Ministry of Interior statement said....

"A large part of the activity was carried out on restricted Internet 'chats' and forums, which shows that the cell arrested was the first one detected and dismantled in Spain that promoted 'world jihad' through the Internet," the statement said....

The alleged ringleader is Abdelkader Ayachine, an Algerian, and his top aide, Wissan Lotfi, a Moroccan. They were allegedly preaching violent jihadi ideology to promote an international "holy war," especially in Iraq, the statement said.

The arrests are part of an investigation that has established links between the Burgos group and Islamists in other countries and involved security agencies from Switzerland, the United States and Denmark...

The Civil Guard said the arrests marked the first time Spanish authorities have broken up a network principally dedicated to promoting jihad on the internet.

H/T: Darth Odie