Spain calls for changes in EU legal system to fight yihad terrorists

He says 'arresting offenders is helpful', but not enough, since the justice system at EU level needs to be adapted so that Spain and other member States have greater legal powers available to them in the fight against Al-Qaeda and similar organisations, and non-affiliated terrorists.

Recalling that 'it is not possible to act outside the law', Fernández Díaz (pictured) hopes the EU will create a 'legal framework' which is sufficient to battle against yihad-related attacks.

One of the major problems in the fight against terrorism is what Fernández Díaz calls 'Muslim repatriates', or people who have converted to Islam and travelled to Syria to fight alongside the Bachar al-Asad rebel forces – 'a potential focal point for high risk to Spain' – and return to the latter country 'radicalised' and with the knowledge and technique to be able to commit attacks in a solitary capacity or as part of a wider terrorism organisation.

Following the bombing at the Boston marathon in the USA, the murder and decapitation of British soldier Lee Rigby in London and the stabbing of an Armed Forces member serving on an anti-terrorist squad, Spain is on its guard and has warned its own soldiers to be extra-careful.

Spain's current anti-yihad strategy includes paying extra attention to 'Muslim repatriates', the presence of religious cults or sects, internet scrutiny and keeping an extra eye on terrorists in prison.