Spain arrests Nigerian over Al-Qaeda link

Spanish police have arrested 13 people, including a Nigerian, on suspicion of links to the global terror network, Al-Qaeda, and organised crime. Several Spanish newspapers named the Nigerian as Babatunde Abunbiade.

The arrests were made on Tuesday in a small town located between Barcelona and Valencia.

A police statement quoted by AP said the detainees - 11 Pakistanis, a Nigerian and an Indian - were part of an international cartel involved in drug trafficking, human trafficking and forgery.

According to the statement, the gang stole passports in Spain, sent them to Thailand to be altered and then provided the passports to Al Qaeda and criminal groups around the world. During the raid, codenamed Operation Fish, Spanish police seized dozens of passports, some of them blank and others fake, as well as other materials used for forging documents along with several mobile telephones and computer equipment.

Times of India reports that Indian consular officials have made efforts to speak to the Indian suspects. It adds that they were told that the suspects would be arraigned in court. The police were also said to be investigating if the suspects acted more than suppliers.

The group is believed to have an extensive network with cells in Belgium, Britain, France, Germany, Switzerland and Thailand.

Only last month, the Spanish police arrested six Pakistanis in Barcelona on suspicion of tax fraud and diverting funds to Islamic terror networks.