Spanish police arrest 17-year-old leader of extremist online group 764 for death threats against MEP Irene Montero

Arrest and charges

A 17-year-old Spanish national was arrested in Gipuzkoa province on 16 July 2026. The operation was carried out jointly by Spain's Guardia Civil, Catalonia's Mossos d'Esquadra and the Basque Ertzaintza. A juvenile court in San Sebastián subsequently ordered his preventive detention in a youth centre. Police describe him as the principal referent in Spain of the 764 network, a transnational extremist group that operates primarily online.

The 764 network

The 764 network was founded by a teenager in the United States in 2021. It blends Nazi, satanic and paedophilic imagery and advocates violence aimed at collapsing society. Authorities in several countries have investigated the group for sextortion, organised harassment, distribution of child sexual exploitation material, inducing self-harm, extreme violence content, animal abuse, and campaigns of threats against institutions, social entities and individuals. The network is part of a broader constellation of similar communities known as The Com, which shares violent propaganda and recruitment tactics.

Wave of threats and targets

Between January and April 2026, the detained minor allegedly sent numerous threats to educational centres, town halls, libraries, social associations, public bodies and a leisure centre. The messages announced shootings, armed attacks and other violent actions. None of the attacks materialised, but the threats generated significant social alarm and forced the deployment of extraordinary security measures, according to a joint police statement. In his communications, the suspect referenced his supposed membership in 764 and stated he would livestream murders for other members of the group. He is also accused of sending death threats to Podemos MEP Irene Montero and commentator Sarah Santaolalla earlier this year. Additionally, the investigation linked him to doxing and swatting attacks against two individuals, one in the Basque Country and one in Catalonia. Doxing involves obtaining and disseminating personal data to extort or harass a target, while swatting consists of making false emergency calls to provoke an armed police response at the victim's address.

Broader European crackdown

A recent operation involving nine European countries, led by Spain, identified 4,340 internet links containing violent propaganda from 764 and similar groups under The Com umbrella. The investigation into the network's activities continues.