A 27 year old Moroccan man has been arrested in Poble Nou de Benitatxell, Alicante, because of his alleged links to Islamic terrorism and Al Qaeda, according to the Mayor of the town, Josefa Ronda.

Spain's Interior Ministry says police have arrested a Moroccan man in the southeast of the country on suspicion of having links to Islamic terror groups and of recruiting jihad fighters.

The arrest was carried out on Friday afternoon by Guardia Civil officers from Madrid, where they have taken the detained man for questioning. Witnesses speak of a spectacular police operation, with a large number of participants and the use of balaclava helmets despite the high temperatures.

The ministry says 26-year-old Faical Errai was arrested Friday in Poble Nou de Benitachell in the coastal province of Alicante.

The arrested man has been living in the area for seven years and had worked until recently for a removals company in Benitatxell, although his current employment is said to be in neighbouring Jávea.
A search of his home was carried out and documents and a computer removed for inspection.

Errai is suspected of being responsible for a pro-jihad website, of recruiting fighters for insurgency in Afghanistan, Chechnya and Pakistan, and of raising money.

The ministry says the arrest followed a high-tech investigation and collaboration with police forces in the United States, Belgium, France, Jordan and Morocco.