The Spanish National Police arrested four migrant minors, aged 14 to 17, from Elche last month, suspected of jihadism links. This adds to a concerning trend where 15 minors have been detained this year for terrorism-related activities. The arrests occurred on December 19, close to Christmas, after social media messages raised alarms.
The suspects, of Moroccan descent, allegedly planned to attack the Basilica of Santa María in Elche during its Jubilee Year, a time when large crowds gather for the UNESCO-listed El Misteri d’Elx. The operation coincided with increased anti-terrorism measures around major Christian sites in Spain. The minors are now in a juvenile center in Madrid as the investigation continues. This follows another operation in Barcelona where a 19-year-old was arrested for plotting to poison others.
The two-act mystery play Misterio de Elche is performed annually on 14 and 15 August in the Basilica de Santa María in the city of Elche. In 2001, UNESCO declared it one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity and, in 2008, inscribed it on its Representative List.
