Three ISIS suspects arrested in Madrid days before World Pride event
A picture taken on June 5, 2017 shows new pedestrian crossing symbols depicting women or same-sex couples in Madrid as the capital will host this year’s World Pride festival from June 23 to July 2. / AFP PHOTO / OSCAR DEL POZO (Photo credit should read OSCAR DEL POZO/AFP/Getty Images)
Just two days before World Pride is set to kick off in Madrid, Spanish authorities have arrested three people suspected of jihadist activity.
The Spanish Interior Ministry on Wednesday said that one person arrested is “very dangerous” and has ties to the so-called Islamic State (ISIS).
According to the ministry, the two other people were sharing an apartment with them and they were being trained to join ISIS.
A raid took place in the early hours of Wednesday, according to the ministry, just two days before Madrid is set to host the World Pride event.
The city installed permanent gender-equal and inclusive traffic lights ahead of the event.
But security had also been ramped up ahead of the event, reports El Pais.
It is expected that World Pride will attract 2 million tourists to the city for the event taking place between 23 June and 2 July.
According to the release on Wednesday, the profile of the main suspect was similar to that of “terrorists recently involved in the attacks in Britain and France”.
The main suspect was a 32-year-old Moroccan national described as a “clear threat to security” in Spain.
According to the release, the other two aged 33 and 38 were also being trained to carry out violent acts including being given information on how to carry out suicide attacks and how to wage jihad online.
The local government in Madrid was earlier this year attempting to ban a bus advertising campaign that attacks transgender people.
The bus campaign reads in Spanish: “If you’re born a man, you’re a man. If you’re a woman, you’ll always be a woman.”
But the regional government in the city was assessing whether it has the power to have the campaign banned.
New streetlights featuring gay and lesbian couples holding hands were announced for the centre of Turin earlier this year.
Lithuania’s Parliament marked the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia this year by lighting up in rainbow colours.
