Barcelona, July 16, 2025 — The Civil Guard has arrested a leading member of the far-right extremist group Deport Them Now UE in Mataró (Barcelona), in connection with the dissemination of xenophobic and inciteful messages that recently sparked unrest in Torre Pacheco, Murcia. The individual, identified by the initials C.L.F., is accused of spreading hate speech and playing a leadership role in organizing online efforts to incite violence against migrant communities.
According to the Ministry of the Interior, the arrest is part of an ongoing investigation into far-right activities across Spain, following the circulation of a statement last week calling for the “hunting” of North African immigrants in the town of Torre Pacheco. The document, shared on social media and encrypted messaging platforms, prompted widespread condemnation and a rapid response by law enforcement authorities.
The Civil Guard executed a search warrant at the suspect’s residence on Tuesday, July 15, seizing two computers that are now under forensic analysis. Officials confirmed that access to the group’s Telegram channel — a key medium for distributing hate messages — has been shut down.
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This arrest marks the 14th individual detained in connection with the recent wave of racist incidents in Torre Pacheco, a town that remains under heightened security measures. Over 100 officers from the State Security Forces have been deployed in the area to ensure public safety and prevent further outbreaks of violence.
The investigation is being coordinated by Investigative Court No. 4 of San Javier and the Regional Prosecutor’s Office for Hate Crimes in Murcia. Authorities are examining potential links between this arrest and a broader network of extremist online activity throughout Spain and other European nations.
Rise of a New Extremist Movement
Police sources familiar with radical groups told EFE that Deport Them Now UE emerged earlier this year and has since established a small but vocal online presence. Although the group’s membership in Spain is estimated at fewer than twenty individuals, it gained attention in May when some of its affiliates attended the Remigration Summit 25 — a controversial far-right gathering held in Gallarate, Italy. The event was organized by Italian extremist Andrea Ballarati and promoted the mass deportation of immigrants under the banner of “re-emigration.”
In Spain, the group has aligned ideologically with certain political narratives echoed by far-right political figures. Public references to “re-emigration” — a term popularized by Deport Them Now UE — have been made by Vox politicians Rocío de Meer and Samuel Guido Princesa, further fuelling tensions over immigration policy.
Despite its limited numbers, security forces consider the group’s rhetoric and social media activity a serious threat to public order. Based primarily in Sabadell, approximately 40 kilometres from Mataró, Deport Them Now UE is under close surveillance by national authorities.
National Response and Legal Framework
Spain’s judiciary and law enforcement agencies have stepped up efforts in recent years to combat hate crimes and the digital propagation of extremist ideologies. The arrest of C.L.F. is seen as a significant step in dismantling one of the country’s emerging extremist cells and sending a strong signal about the consequences of inciting violence.
Government officials have reiterated their commitment to upholding democratic values and ensuring that Spain remains a safe and inclusive society for all residents, regardless of origin. Further arrests and legal actions are expected as the investigation continues.
