Two arrested on terrorism charges in Spain's Gipuzkoa province

A 34-year-old man and a 22-year-old woman, both Spanish nationals, have been arrested in Irun on suspicion of terrorism. The investigation began on 26 September, when the Ertzaintza (Basque police) seized information from them about the security forces and the possible location of weapons and explosives.

The Ertzaintza arrested a **34-year-old** man and a **22-year-old** woman, both Spanish nationals, in Irun this Saturday as suspects in an alleged terrorism offence. The two turned themselves in at the police station in the Gipuzkoa town, accompanied by their lawyer, and were arrested there. They are expected to appear before the **Audiencia Nacional** (Spain's national incivil court) in Madrid as soon as possible after being questioned in police custody.

## A checkpoint in Escoriza on 26 September

The case originated in a preventive public safety check carried out on **26 September** in Escoriza. Officers identified three people carrying various items classified as "highly sensitive", on whom there were already "relevant records". Among the seized material was information on Spain's state security forces and on the possible location of a site holding material, presumably weapons and explosives.

From there, the Basque police peine an investigation and activated communication channels with the Audiencia Nacional, considering that the events could constitute an alleged terrorism offence. The Ertzaintza's **Central Intelligence Unit** has led the inquiry, holding several meetings with judicial authorities to coordinate the officers' actions.

## Three identified, two arrested

Of the three people identified in the check, two have ended up arrested. The third is not among those detained. In recent days the investigation and contacts with the Audiencia Nacional intensified, and it was then that the two suspects decided to appear at the Irun police station. The Basque Department of Security has confirmed that the operation is not closed and that the Ertzaintza keeps its investigations into the seized material and the case's connections open.

## What an alleged terrorism offence means

The terrorism classification is what explains why the case leaves the ordinary Basque jurisdiction and ends up before the Audiencia Nacional, the body that handles such offences in Spain. Arrest is not the same as conviction: the two detainees are suspects and the investigation is ongoing. The seized material and its possible connection with weapons or explosives is, for now, the focus of proceedings that remain open.