Two in Irun (Gipuzkoa) terrorism suspects arrested remain in police custody with the Ertzaintza and are awaiting their transfer to the Audiencia Nacional. The Basque police and Spanish media confirmed this on Sunday. The arrests took place on 17 October 2026.
According to the Ertzaintza, documents had already been seized in September containing information about facilities and members of the security forces. Investigations also uncovered indications of the possible location of a site containing materials, possibly weapons and explosives. No specific finds have been officially confirmed so far. The police said the arrests were in line with the state of the investigation; no details are available about the suspects’ identities, ages or a specific plan of action.
Further investigations are being conducted by the Audiencia Nacional, which is responsible for terrorism cases in Spain. Under current plans, a transfer to Madrid will take place once ordered by a judge. Until then, the accused will remain at Ertzaintza premises in Irun. The decision on possible pre-trial detention will be made by an investigating judge at the Audiencia Nacional.
Political reactions from the Basque Country were restrained. The Partido Nacionalista Vasco stressed the need to conduct the investigation cautiously and with due respect for the rule of law, while also pointing to the importance of public safety. Officials are avoiding speculation about any possible organisational links involving the accused.
The immediate trigger for the measures is Saturday’s arrest and the impending transfer to the jurisdiction of the central investigative authorities. The background is the information secured the previous month, which, according to the police, gives grounds for initial suspicion of an offence related to terrorism. The significance of the documents and indications of potential materials remains under assessment.
The next steps will centre on further questioning, forensic examination of the information secured and judicial oversight. Authorities point out that the possible evidence can only be assessed, and any legal classification of the allegations determined, after these measures are complete. No predictions are being made about the timing or outcome of judicial decisions.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).