Spain deports Al-Andalus Brigade founder to Morocco

Spanish authorities have deported Lahcen Ikserine, a 59-year-old Moroccan national, to Morocco following his release after serving 11.5 years in prison. Ikserine was convicted for his leadership role in the “Al-Andalus Brigade,” a jihadist cell he founded in 2011 that was dismantled by Spanish police in 2014.

Security sources described Ikserine as “extremely dangerous.” Investigations revealed the cell focused on radicalizing individuals and recruiting fighters to travel to Syria, with at least six people identified as having made the journey. The group also disseminated propaganda supporting ISIS and the Al-Nusra Front.

The deportation, carried out on October 6 under the supervision of the National Intelligence Centre (CNI) and the National Police, occurred in locations including Madrid, Torrijón de Ardoz, and Ávila. While the operation was executed earlier this month, details were only widely reported following disclosures from counter-terrorism sources on October 23. The current legal status of Ikserine upon his arrival in Morocco remains unknown.