Spanish police announced the dismantling of a cell belonging to the neo-Nazi group known as The Base, which is designated as a terrorist organization by the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The operation, conducted on Monday, targeted a group that had been actively preparing for violent actions and promoting a so-called “race war.”
The investigation, which began earlier this year, revealed that the Spanish branch of The Base was composed of members who were “highly radicalized.” Authorities reported that these individuals had undergone training in “paramilitary techniques and equipment.” In recent months, they had not only encouraged violent acts but also expressed a readiness to carry out targeted attacks in the name of their ideology.
Police arrested three suspects last week, including the group’s leader, who is now facing charges related to membership in a terrorist organization, recruitment, indoctrination, and illegal possession of weapons. During the raids conducted in the eastern province of Castellon, authorities seized firearms, ammunition, and an array of neo-Nazi paraphernalia. Footage from the operation showed police apprehending suspects and collecting weapons, along with materials featuring imagery of former Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.
The Base and Its Global Reach
Founded in 2018 by U.S. citizen Rinaldo Nazzaro, The Base operates as a decentralized network of paramilitary cells, primarily composed of radical right nationalists preparing for armed conflict. Nazzaro later relocated to Saint Petersburg, where he acquired Russian citizenship.
The group’s activities have attracted international scrutiny, particularly following a 2020 incident in which Patrik Jordan Mathews, a former reservist in the Canadian Armed Forces, and two others were arrested by the FBI for plotting a terror attack at a pro-gun rally in Virginia. Mathews ultimately received a nine-year prison sentence in Maryland.
In response to growing concerns about the group’s activities, the European Union officially added The Base to its list of terrorist organizations last year. This designation entails significant sanctions, including asset freezes and travel bans across Europe.
Ideology and Threat Assessment
According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, The Base is characterized as an antisemitic, white nationalist network that trains members in survivalism and paramilitary skills to prepare for an armed resistance against the government. The organization believes that societal collapse is necessary to establish a white ethnostate.
The recent arrests in Spain highlight the ongoing threat posed by such extremist groups, particularly those with transnational connections and intentions to incite violence. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, aiming to preempt further acts of terrorism linked to this ideology.
