Spanish police have arrested three individuals suspected of belonging to the Base, a global neo-Nazi terrorist group that encourages and trains its members to overthrow governments and ignite a race war. The group, recognized as a terrorist organization by the EU, the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, is part of an international “accelerationist” white power movement that prepares its cells to carry out violent and destabilizing attacks.
In a statement on Monday, Spain’s National Police said the arrests in the eastern province of Castellón had dismantled the first accelerationist terrorist cell identified in the country. Officers seized two firearms, replica guns, ammunition, knives, tactical military gear, as well as accelerationist propaganda and neo-Nazi materials.
The three suspects face charges of belonging to a terrorist organization, recruiting, indoctrinating, and training for terrorist purposes, and illegal possession of weapons.
The investigation began earlier this year when counter-terrorism officers identified a person described as “highly radicalized and aligned with the supremacist, terrorist beliefs of the Base.” They later uncovered two other cell members and found that all three had received tactical paramilitary training.
Police also determined that the suspects used social media to recruit new members, praise violent acts by other terrorist organizations, and share accelerationist content. In recent months, they had escalated their radical rhetoric, “urging violent attacks and openly stating they were ready to carry out selective attacks for their cause.”
The leader of the Spanish cell was in direct contact with the Base’s U.S. founder, Rinaldo Nazzaro, who recently called on cells worldwide to execute attacks aimed at collapsing Western democratic institutions.
Officers arrested the three suspects on Tuesday, November 25, while conducting five searches in Castellón. A judge at Spain’s National Court has ordered the cell leader to be held in custody.
The Southern Poverty Law Center describes the Base as “an antisemitic, white nationalist network that trains members in survivalism and paramilitary skills to prepare them for armed resistance against the government.”
Accelerationism refers to ideologies that seek to provoke radical social change. In recent years, the term has been adopted by far-right groups to describe efforts to destabilize communities and democratic institutions through violence.
Nazzaro, a former Pentagon contractor and Department of Homeland Security analyst now based in Russia, has been accused by alleged former members of being a Kremlin spy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the recent arrests of suspected neoNazi terrorists in Spain designed to answer questions from basic to more detailed
Basic Information Context
1 What happened in Spain
Spanish police have arrested several people suspected of being part of a neoNazi terrorist organization They are accused of planning violent attacks and promoting hate crimes
2 What is a neoNazi terrorist organization
Its a group that follows the racist and violent ideology of Nazism and uses planned violence to advance its goals which often target immigrants LGBTQ individuals leftwing groups and religious minorities
3 Who were they allegedly planning to attack
Reports suggest their targets included politicians immigrants and members of minority groups Specific details are often kept confidential during an ongoing investigation
4 Were any attacks actually carried out
Authorities state that this was a preemptive operation They arrested the suspects before any major violent attack could be executed though the group is suspected of prior lowerlevel hate crimes and intimidation
Details of the Case Investigation
5 How many people were arrested
The exact number can vary by report but recent operations have involved arrests ranging from a handful to over a dozen individuals across different cities in Spain
6 What evidence did the police have
While full evidence is presented in court police typically cite items like weapons Nazi propaganda detailed plans or lists of targets and communications discussing violent acts
7 Is this connected to international groups
Its common for such groups to have online links and ideological inspiration from international neoNazi networks Spanish authorities investigate whether there are operational ties to groups in other European countries
8 What charges do they face
Charges likely include membership in a terrorist organization possession of weapons for terrorist purposes incitement to hatred and violence and conspiracy to commit murder or serious assault
Broader Implications Concerns
9 Is neoNazism a big problem in Spain
While not as historically prominent as in some other European countries Spanish authorities and watchdog groups have noted a concerning rise in farright and neoNazi activity both online and in streetlevel violence in recent years
