Birmingham counter-terror arrest: Alleged 'spiritual leader' of Majorca-based cell is held

Tarik Chadlioui
Tarik Chadlioui Credit: Central

A radical cleric living in Birmingham has been accused of using YouTube videos to recruit and lead an Islamic State group terrorist cell based in Spain.

Tarik Chadlioui, 43, was arrested in the early hours of Wednesday as police in Spain said they had seized four of his alleged acolytes in Majorca.

Spanish authorities alleged Chadlioui was a “well-known” radical cleric who recruited fighters for Islamic State in Iraq and Levant (Isil) and allegedly acted as the “spiritual leader” of the group.

An extradition hearing hours after his arrest was told the father-of-eight faced allegations that “could scarcely be more serious”.

Still image from a Spanish police video showing officers raiding a building in Majorca early on Wednesday
Still image from a Spanish police video showing officers raiding a building in Majorca early on Wednesday Credit: Spain’s National Police

Benjamin Joyes, representing the Spanish authorities, told Westminster Magistrates: "It is alleged that the requested person with several others as a member of an organisation gave support to the terrorist organisation Islamic State by means of propaganda and incitement of new members to join the organisation.

"He produced audio visual material for the recruitment of jihadis on his YouTube channel for indoctrination and posted symbols and banners for Islamic State on social media.”

The Moroccan-born imam has been living in Britain with his wife and eight children since 2015 after moving from Belgium.

Chadlioui, also known as Tarik Ibn Ali, is reported to have formerly preached at a Paris mosque attended by one of the Bataclan concert hall attackers, Omar Mostefai.

 Policemen carry evidence during a search at the residence of a suspect
Police officers carry evidence during a search at the residence of a suspect in Majorca Credit: Atienza/EFE

Dressed in a traditional Arab robe and speaking through an Arabic interpreter, Chadlioui spoke only to confirm his name and address.

Anti-terror police used a European arrest warrant to detain Chadlioui in the Sparkhill area of Birmingham as part of a wider investigation into support Isil, also known as Daesh.

A 28-year-old Spanish man was also arrested in the German city of Dortmund.

Spain’s national police said their investigation had been running for two years and began “when a series of videos were discovered on a website which showed the process of indoctrination, recruitment and subsequent journey to Syria of a young Muslim living in Spain. The film promoter was identified as a Salafist imam."

Policemen escort a suspect that was arrested as part of an international antijihadist police operation, in Palma Majorca
Police officers escort a suspect in Palma Majorca who was arrested as part of the anti-terror operation Credit: Atienza/EFE

It added that Chadlioui was suspected of "exercising functions ranging from recruiting, indoctrination and radicalisation in favour of Daesh and becoming from that point on their spiritual leader."

Saba Ashraf, defending, opposed the extradition citing his private life under article 8 of the Human Rights Act.

Ms Ashraf said Chadlioui had eight children, the youngest a three-month-old baby.

Tarik Chadlioui
Tarik Chadlioui Credit: Central

Chadlioui was remanded in custody until another extradition hearing next week.

District Judge Shenagh Bayne said: "The allegations in the European Arrest Warrant could scarcely be more serious.

"The warrant relates to terrorism offences, the framework list is ticked at participation in a criminal organisation and terrorism.

"It is alleged that you are a member of a terror organisation and that you have actively engaged in terrorist activities.

"If you are convicted of this offence you face a possible sentence of 20 years imprisonment."

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