The National Police has arrested a minor of Syrian origin in Montellano (Seville) who intended to immolate himself at his school, as confirmed by police sources to La Vanguardia. The young man, who is in 3rd year of ESO, was surprised yesterday by the agents while he was experimenting with explosives in the open air on the outskirts of this Sevillian town of barely 7,000 inhabitants. After the search of his home, in which the Police found a vest and processed explosive material ready to attack, the mother of the boy born in 2007 was also arrested.
A family of Syrian refugees lived in the home that the Police searched yesterday, who arrived in Montellano about two years ago. The General Information Commissioner’s Office began the investigation, according to the same sources, last November. Since then, the minor now detained was under police scrutiny. The operation was scheduled to take place next Wednesday to carry out the arrest, but the arrest was precipitated yesterday afternoon, causing a great stir in the town.
It came forward after investigators verified that the minor left his house alone with a backpack to go to the countryside, outdoors, to test explosives that he detonated without causing damage. This fact set off all the alarms, so members of the National Police were mobilized: from the Tedax, to canine units, to experts in cybercrime. The minor was arrested before his home was searched. After the minor’s arrest, a search of the home was ordered, which had to be swept by police experts to verify that there was no risk of explosion.
Sources close to the investigation explain that the police officers found in plain sight, on the desk that the minor had in his room, all types of material with which to make the explosives: gunpowder, acetone, sulfuric acid, strong water, etc. They also found an axe, a notebook with notes of chemical formulas and photographs of weapons. Among his belongings there was also a bomb vest, like the one prepared by the terrorists of the 17-A attack on Las Ramblas. In addition to the clothing with which he allegedly intended to commit the attack at his school.
All these signs related to jihadist terrorism, which were not hidden in the home, led the judicial authority to also arrest the minor’s mother yesterday. The Police found evidence that some of the materials to prepare the explosives had been purchased by the woman. In addition, they have found publications on social networks in which jihadist terrorism has allegedly been glorified.
Investigators are analyzing the seized mobile devices, including the mobile phone of the young man who was repeating 3rd year of ESO. The State Security Forces and Bodies are highly concerned about the radicalization of minors through social networks. In recent times, operations involving minors have been skyrocketing.
