Spanish counter-terrorism officers have arrested three suspected members of a violent neo-Nazi organisation that is proscribed as a terrorist group in the United Kingdom.
Armed Raids Dismantle Extremist Cell
The suspects were detained after a series of armed police raids in the eastern coastal city of Castellón. Authorities stated they had successfully dismantled a local cell of the group known as The Base. This organisation, whose name is a rough English translation of 'al-Qaeda', was outlawed in the UK in July 2021 by the then Home Secretary, Dame Priti Patel.
The group's stated aim is the violent overthrow of Western governments to replace them with white ethno-states. Its founder, Rinaldo Nazzaro, a 52-year-old American former defence contractor who once worked with US special forces, has lived in Russia for the past eight years. In April, he publicly called on followers to assassinate key military and political figures in Ukraine.
Arsenal of Weapons and Extremist Propaganda Seized
During the searches of properties, officers from Spain's National Police force uncovered a significant arsenal. The haul included:
- Submachine guns and handguns
- A large quantity of ammunition and silencers
- Knives, machetes, and a spear
- Body armour, helmets, and camouflage clothing
Police also found bundles of €50 notes, a drone, rope, and handcuffs. Notably, among the seized items were translated hardback copies of Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf in both Spanish and Catalan, and a t-shirt bearing an image of the 'Unabomber', Ted Kaczynski.
The three arrested individuals, whose ages and nationalities have not been released, were described by authorities as "highly radicalised" and prepared to carry out attacks.
International Terrorist Designation and Ongoing Probe
The operation was led by Spain's General Information Commissariat with support from the Castellón Provincial Information Brigade, all under the direction of the National Court Prosecutor's Office. Europol agents assisted in analysing intelligence during the investigation.
The Base, founded in 2018, operates as a network of paramilitary cells that run training camps to prepare for attacks and to provoke a race war. It is listed as a terrorist entity by the European Union, the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
In the UK, under the Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Act 2021, membership or support for The Base is a criminal offence carrying a sentence of up to 14 years in prison. The investigation in Spain remains ongoing, with the head of the Central Court of Instruction number Six of the National Court ordering the imprisonment of the cell's leader.
