In a joint operation, authorities in Spain and Italy have arrested 11 Pakistani-origin individuals—10 in Barcelona and one in Piacenza—accused of accused of promoting extremist ideologies and plotting violent actions against individuals they deemed blasphemous.
During the investigation, law enforcers discovered the suspects were inspired by the ideology of the Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP), a religio-political party that advocates for strict enforcement of blasphemy laws. The probe charges the arrested individuals, aged between 25 and 55, of utilizing encrypted messaging platforms to disseminate violent rhetoric, endorsing actions such as murder and decapitation against perceived offenders. Their communications also glorified terrorists who had executed attacks on individuals accused of blasphemy in both Europe and Pakistan.
Financially, the group sustained its activities through regular contributions from its members. While some held jobs as couriers or in call centers, others were entirely supported by the organization. Notably, the network included a women’s subgroup, led by one of the female detainees, which focused on indoctrination and identifying potential targets. This subgroup operated within the same encrypted channels, emphasizing the group’s dedication to expanding its influence across different social sectors.
The arrests are part of an extensive investigation that began in 2022. In the initial phase, five individuals were detained in Spain for inciting attacks against critics of Islam via social media platforms like Facebook and TikTok. The second phase, in 2023, led to the arrest of 14 individuals across various Spanish regions, with 11 subsequently expelled from the country due to their extremist activities.
The suspects arrested in the latest operation have been charged with offenses including glorification, advocacy, financing, and indoctrination of terrorism. Investigators also uncovered evidence that the group had begun selecting potential targets in Europe, underscoring the imminent threat they posed. Following their court appearances, four of the detainees were ordered into provisional custody while the investigation continues.
Since its founding in August 2015, the TLP has been involved in numerous cases of incitement to violence in the name of religion. Its supporters have been directly involved in gathering violent mobs, which have targeted minorities across Pakistan, as well as Muslims it deems to have committed blasphemy. The former PTI government had briefly banned the group but withdrew the decision, highlighting the state’s challenge in tackling extremism.