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10 arrested in Spain suspected of "glorifying terrorism" via social media messages

Two of those detained are minors while the others are aged between 19 and 62
Two of those detained are minors while the others are aged between 19 and 62

Spanish police have arrested 10 people accused of glorifying terrorism and inciting attacks by the Basque group ETA on social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook.

The suspects are accused of "using social networks to commit suspected crimes of glorifying terrorism by ETA and of humiliating the victims of terrorism", the interior ministry said in a statement today.

Police detained them in various regions of central and northern Spain, seizing their mobile phones to check them for messages, the statement said.

Two of those detained are minors while the others are aged between 19 and 62.

They posted messages "calling for ETA to resume its attacks, praising attacks already carried out and glorifying convicted ETA terrorists", with some urging attacks on particular individuals, the ministry said.

ETA in 2011 declared an end to its armed activity after four decades of bombings and shootings that left 829 people dead in a campaign for an independent Basque homeland.

Police arrested 20 suspects in similar raids in April after vowing to crack down on incitement to violence online.