Spain to update laws to combat extremist threat

The ruling Popular Party (PP) in Spain and the Socialist (PSOE) Party have reached an agreement to draw up legislation aimed at combating the threat of extremist terrorism.

The agreement comes after a conversation between Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and PSOE leader, Pedro Sanchez, followed by a meeting between Justice Minister Rafael Catala and Interior Minister Jorge Fernandez with PSOE representatives.

According to media reports, other parties have also been invited to help draft the legislation, which will be formed in the coming weeks and fast track approval in the Spanish Congress.

Spain's current anti-terror laws are more aimed at combating the threat posed by the Basque radical group ETA rather than radical Islamic terrorists. However, although ETA has yet to disband or hand over its weapons, the group has not carried out any attacks since announcing a permanent and binding ceasefire in the run in to the 2011 general election.

Last week's attack on the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo has given a new impulse to the reform of Spain's anti-terror laws.

Analysts say the new legislation will pay more attention to the question of "lone-wolf" terrorists, who act with or without the backing of a terrorist organization.

Following a series of arrests of members of recruitment networks not only in the enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, but also on the Spanish mainland, the issue of the recruitment of potential jihadist fighters will also receive attention, analysts say.

The proposed reforms have already caused controversy. Some civil liberties groups expressed their concerns about proposals to punish "regular" visitors to jihadist websites and plans to compile a database of airline passengers. Endit