Altea: Jihadist will stand trial, says judge

ANOUAR MERABET, arrested in Altea last October, will stand trial for belonging to the Islamist terrorist group Daesh.

He and Abdelilah Migou, who was arrested in Morocco during the same joint operation, used the social media to recruit and indoctrinate, said National High Court judge Eloy Velasco.

The jihadists used various Facebook profiles where they carried out “radical virtual activity,” Velasco established during his investigation to determine whether there was a case against the men.

Both had declared their participation in the Global Jihad and urged others “to reach Paradise through martyrdom,” Velasco said.  Merabet and Migou are now remanded and face prison terms of between six and 12 years.

They were active members of the Joint Committee for the Defence of Islamist Prisoners (CCDDI) and had direct links to the Committee.  They took part in CCDDI activities and used the association to contact ISIS supporters, according to the judge.

Merabet, who also faces drugs charges, lived for 15 years in Altea where he used to play on the local football team.  He has a daughter from a former relationship with an Altea girl.