Spanish Police Dismantle Neo-Nazi Group Nucleo Nacional in Nationwide Operation
Authorities arrested 14 leaders of the extremist group following investigations into violent public disturbances.
1Nationwide Police Crackdown
Spanish National Police arrested 14 members of the neo-Nazi group Nucleo Nacional across several provinces. The operation, coordinated by a Gijon court, included ten property searches in Madrid, Asturias, Guadalajara, Valladolid, Pontevedra, Burgos, and Alicante. Authorities targeted the group's leadership, including prominent far-right figure Enrique Lemus, during this coordinated law enforcement action.
2Origins of the Investigation
The judicial probe began following disturbances near the La Inmaculada school in Gijon. In February, group members gathered at the site to protest the removal of a monument dedicated to the Heroes of Simancas, which the regional government deemed contrary to the Democratic Memory Law. Protesters chanted slogans associated with Francoism.
3Charges and Legal Status
Detained individuals face accusations of inciting hatred, illicit association, and illegal possession of weapons. The investigation is led by the Gijon Court of Instruction number 4. While the operation remains active, the court lifted the secrecy of the proceedings following the initial arrests to allow for the processing of the suspects.
4Political Ambitions Thwarted
Nucleo Nacional recently attempted to transition into formal politics by registering as a political party named Noviembre Nacional. Enrique Lemus, a veteran ultranationalist previously linked to Democracia Nacional, spearheaded this registration in February. The group has actively campaigned against what they describe as foreign invasion, often organizing protests at the PSOE headquarters.
5Logistics of the Arrests
The primary suspects identified as the group's leadership will be transferred to Gijon to testify before the magistrate. Other detainees will be processed by local duty courts in their respective regions. Police conducted a significant search at the organization's central headquarters in Valladolid, where two police vans were deployed during the operation.
6Immediate Operational Impact
Following the arrests, Nucleo Nacional officially canceled a demonstration scheduled for November 7 in Madrid. The protest was intended to march from Plaza de Espana to the PSOE headquarters on Ferraz Street. The group cited the state's police deployment and repression as the primary reasons for calling off the planned public gathering.
7Historical Context of Extremism
This operation follows a broader trend of monitoring extremist groups in Spain. The Civil Guard had previously opened an investigation into the group in April of last year due to their involvement in violent protests. The state's intervention reflects a growing concern regarding the potential for increased political violence from such organizations.
8Future Judicial Proceedings
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities analyze evidence seized during the ten property searches. The Asturian government had previously urged the Ministry of the Interior to take necessary measures to dissolve the group entirely. Future court sessions will determine the extent of the criminal charges against the 14 detained individuals.