Terrorist Plot on Barcelona Spain Foiled by Law Enforcement

Spain is quickly becoming the most explored countrydetainees and members of a terrorist sleeper cell 13
in the world by tourists. Yet, tourists are not the onlyof them were living in Barcelona. It is believed that
ones taking notice of this beautiful, althoughsenior al Qaida leaders sent a points man to activate
somewhat politically torn country. It seems thethis terrorist sleeper cell and as a result prompting
growing popularity of Spain with those around thethis group into future action. Clearly, the arrival of the
world, has also attracted interest from a certainpoints man in Spain from Pakistan signaled the
terrorist organization.activation of this group. The points man acts as
According to Spanish law enforcement authorities andliaison to al Qaida leaders.
countless news agencies around the world, theOn the optimistic side, in respect to world terrorism,
arrests of 14 Islamic terrorists on January 19, 2008,and law enforcement efforts to thwart such acts of
foiled an attack planned in the city of Barcelona.destruction, it seems law enforcement officials in
Further, police report that a few of these unidentifiedSpain and France have equal access to information
sleeper cell members had recently traveled toand thanks to prompt action following notification by
Pakistan to entertain an intensive al Qaida trainingPakistani secret services people of Barcelona Spain
camp. It is suggested this terrorist plot hoped to rivalare safe. These members of law enforcement are as
the 2004 Train Bombings in Barcelona which killed awell connected as members of Al Qaida receiving the
total of 191 people.information in time to arrest and detain this points
At present, the police are investigating and detainingman resulting in the prevention of harm by the entire
these suspects according to Spanish law which allowsgroup. Clearly this failure by al Qaida members
a suspect to be held a maximum of 72 hours withoutexemplifies the due diligence being practiced around
charge. It appears the Spanish police were tipped offthe world by countries. Law enforcement and all
by Pakistani officials of the likelihood of an upcomingcounter terrorism agencies intend to prevent such
terror attack in the city of Barcelona, according to ahappenings and acts of terror no matter where in
report by El Periodico de Catalunya.the world the attempt is planned and are working
The group had received orders from other terroristsalongside one another as a result. This foiled plot just
living in Pakistan in the Waziristan region. Of the 14happened to be Barcelona this time around.