Arrest of Extremists from Tindouf Camps in Spain on Terrorism Charges, and Spanish Investigation into Polisario’s New Ambassador to Algeria

ALDAR/

Spanish media sources, particularly in the Basque region, have reported that security authorities arrested two young Sahrawis from the Tindouf camps in southern Algeria on charges related to extremism and glorification of terrorism. The arrests were carried out in the province of Álava, in northern Spain, as part of a broad security investigation into activities suspected of being linked to extremist groups.

According to the reports, the two young men appeared before the National Court in Madrid, the judicial body specializing in terrorism cases. The judge ordered one of the suspects to be held in pre-trial detention, while the other was released under judicial supervision.

Although Spanish newspapers, especially in the Basque region, have refrained from disclosing the background and identities of the arrested individuals, media reports have revealed that one of the two suspects has close ties to Khatri Addouh, the new ambassador of the Polisario Front to Algeria. The same sources add that representatives of the separatist front pressured local Spanish media to prevent the circulation of information indicating that the suspects came from the Tindouf camps.

This case has reignited international debate over the issue of extremism within the Tindouf camp population, especially as reports continue to warn about extremist groups infiltrating these isolated areas. U.S. think tanks and several American political figures have recently called for the Polisario Front to be classified as a terrorist organization, citing growing signs of radical ideology spreading in these circles.

These developments come amid a heated political debate in Spain over a proposed law to grant Spanish nationality to Sahrawis born during the Spanish colonial period in Western Sahara. The initiative, put forward by a far-left party, has caused division within the coalition government. The Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) has expressed opposition, particularly to the recognition of documents issued by the Polisario Front and to simplifying naturalization procedures.

Despite this opposition, the law was passed in the Spanish Parliament, intensifying political tensions, especially amid growing security concerns over the involvement of some Sahrawis in activities that threaten public safety.