Item 1
Item 2
Item 3
Item 4
Item 5
Item 6
Default Title
Default Title
Default Title

Madrid: Two MMA Fighters Arrested in Jihadist Terrorism Investigation

Spanish authorities have arrested two men linked to a jihadist propaganda network during a counter-terrorism operation in Madrid.

The operation was carried out by the PolicĂ­a Nacional, which says the suspects were involved in disseminating radical Islamist propaganda online.

MMA experts involved

According to investigators, both men were experts in mixed martial arts (MMA). One of them reportedly worked as a trainer in several gyms and had previously competed at the international level.

Authorities believe their influence within the sports community allowed them to reach young people and expand their network.

Radical propaganda network dismantled

The investigation uncovered a structure dedicated to:

  • spreading jihadist propaganda
  • promoting martyrdom ideology
  • encouraging the establishment of Sharia law

Investigators say the network used online platforms and messaging channels to distribute extremist material and recruit sympathizers.

The arrests are part of ongoing efforts by Spanish security services to disrupt radicalization networks and prevent potential terrorist threats.

Incident Details

Type of Incident: Arrest
Date of Incident: March 7, 2026
City: Madrid
Country: Spain

More Incidents

April 20, 2026
A 17-year-old boy and 19-year-old man have been arrested over...
April 20, 2026
A 17-year-old teenager, suspected of adhering to a jihadist Islamist...
April 19, 2026
April 17 is observed globally as “Palestinian Prisoners’ Day,” commemorating...
April 19, 2026
April 17 is observed globally as “Palestinian Prisoners’ Day,” commemorating...
April 19, 2026
April 17 is observed globally as “Palestinian Prisoners’ Day,” commemorating...
April 18, 2026
April 17 is observed globally as “Palestinian Prisoners’ Day,” commemorating...
April 18, 2026
April 17 is observed globally as “Palestinian Prisoners’ Day,” commemorating...
April 18, 2026
April 17 is observed globally as “Palestinian Prisoners’ Day,” commemorating...

About Sentinel

SENTINEL is a European project funded by the European Commission and led by the Security and Crisis Centre (SACC by EJC), the security arm of the European Jewish Congress. It brings together the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism (ICCT), national-level Jewish communities from Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, and Spain, the European Union of Jewish Students, with the support of the Italian Carabinieri and the Police Presidium of the Czech Republic.

The project is designed to strengthen the protection of Jewish places of worship across the European Union through a coordinated set of activities over a three-year period.

SENTINEL will harness AI-enhanced open-source intelligence to monitor and assess current, emerging, and future threats. It will also equip Jewish communities with practical tools, including a mobile security application with a panic button and an interactive map built on real-time incident data.

Training and capacity-building are at the core of the project. These include scenario-based security exercises, crisis management seminars, and both in-person and online training sessions for community security trustees. SENTINEL will also organise EU-wide and local conferences to foster collaboration between Jewish communities, public authorities, and law enforcement agencies.

Complementing these efforts, national and local workshops will promote knowledge-sharing and preparedness, alongside pilot training programmes for law enforcement. A dedicated podcast series will help raise awareness by exploring threat assessments and potential responses.

With its wide-reaching and inclusive approach, SENTINEL will directly benefit to Jewish communities across 23 EU Member States, enhancing resilience, strengthening preparedness, and building long-term cooperation with law enforcement to meet today’s evolving security challenges.