The alleged leader of Blocus travelled to Paris before organising calls for looting in Spain and had registered one of his Telegram accounts using a Turkish telephone number, according to judicial sources cited by elDiario.es. Investigators say he had also travelled to Turkey on several occasions.
The Guardia Civil reached its conclusions after analysing a mobile phone and two computers seized during a search of his home. Authorities identify the detainee as the administrator of Telegram groups with thousands of subscribers that called for looting in Barcelona during the disturbances on October 24. Those events resulted in 128 arrests, including 78 minors.
A judge at the Torrent Court of Instance ordered provisional detention without bail, citing the possible destruction of evidence, the risk of further offences and the possibility of flight. The ruling reportedly took into account his ability to travel and his financial resources. The judge also ordered his accounts to be closed and prohibited him from accessing social networks while held at Picassent prison.
According to the investigation, the detainee administered Telegram groups and a private Signal account from an iPhone 18 Pro. In a group called “Fuck AEAT”, he allegedly claimed to be the administrator of the now-closed “Blocus BCN2” and “Blocus BCN-2” groups.
On October 28, he reportedly uploaded a video to one of those groups showing him with his face covered and declaring himself the leader of Blocus in Spain. Investigators traced the identification data linked to his accounts, leading to his arrest.
Investigators also say he selected members of a closed core group and used counter-surveillance and anonymity measures. He is allegedly responsible for designing posters calling for looting in Barcelona, as well as the group’s avatar and QR codes created with an artificial-intelligence tool on his phone.
Public Telegram channels and private Signal groups promoted mass calls to loot luxury shops, with the messages later spreading to WhatsApp. The alleged leader also produced a video with his voice distorted, calling for looting in several Spanish cities on October 30. Those actions were stopped by a large police deployment.
He is being investigated for alleged membership of a criminal organisation created to mobilise and incite people across Spain to commit serious public-order offences, forced robberies at commercial premises and intentional damage to public and private property. The final legal classification may change as the investigation proceeds.
Sources: elDiario.es.