Spanish authorities have announced the dismantling of the country's first known 'accelerationist' neo-Nazi terrorist cell, resulting in three arrests and the seizure of a significant cache of weapons and propaganda.
Arrests and Seizures in Castellón
In an operation on Tuesday 25 November, the Spanish National Police detained three individuals in the eastern province of Castellón. The suspects are accused of belonging to the Base, a proscribed international neo-Nazi terrorist organisation that actively trains its members to overthrow governments and incite a race war.
During coordinated raids, officers confiscated a haul of dangerous items, including two firearms, replica guns, ammunition, knives, and tactical military training equipment. A substantial amount of accelerationist literature and neo-Nazi paraphernalia was also seized.
Links to Global Terror Network and Radical Activity
The police investigation, which began earlier this year, identified a highly radicalised individual aligned with the Base's supremacist ideology. This led to the discovery of a three-person cell that had engaged in paramilitary-style tactical training.
The cell leader was in direct contact with Rinaldo Nazzaro, the US founder of the Base who is now reportedly based in Russia. Nazzaro, a former Pentagon contractor, has previously urged global cells to execute attacks aimed at collapsing Western democracies.
Authorities stated the group used social media to recruit new members, glorify violence by other terrorist organisations, and share extremist content. In recent months, their rhetoric escalated to openly advocating for and preparing to carry out selective violent attacks.
Charges and International Designation
The trio face serious charges, including membership of a terrorist organisation, recruiting and training for terrorist purposes, and illegal possession of weapons. A judge at Spain's Audiencia Nacional court has ordered the cell leader to be held in custody.
The Base is designated as a terrorist entity by the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Described as an accelerationist group, it forms part of a violent white power movement that seeks to hasten societal collapse through destabilising attacks. The Southern Poverty Law Center characterises it as an antisemitic network preparing for armed resistance against the state.
This operation marks a significant step by Spanish security forces in confronting the evolving threat of ideologically motivated violent extremism within its borders.
