Two people have been arrested following a counter-terrorism operation linked to suspected Islamist radicalisation in the Spanish cities of Cartagena and Ferrol. The operation was carried out yesterday morning by National Police officers deployed from Madrid and was led by Spain’s National Court.

In Cartagena, officers detained a young man in the La Palma district after a police raid at his family home. Neighbours reported a large security presence, with armed officers, street closures and searches lasting several hours. At the same time, further searches were carried out in other parts of the municipality as part of the same investigation.

A woman, who is a Spanish national originally from Cartagena, was arrested in the Galician city of Ferrol, where she was visiting family. Police searched a property in the Recimil area and removed material for further analysis. Both detainees have been transferred to Madrid and are expected to be brought before the National Court. Police say the case relates to alleged radicalisation, but no further details have been made public.