Changes in the Mossos d'Esquadra: Chief Inspector Sánchez, a jihadist specialist, is sent to Sant Martí.

BarcelonaThe General Information Commissariat of the Mossos d'Esquadra (Catalan Police), which is responsible for, among other functions, combating extremism and terrorism, has undergone a significant change in recent weeks. According to sources consulted by ARA, the deputy chief of the station, Superintendent David Sánchez, has been sent to head the Sant Martí district police station, leaving his responsibilities as Information Commander. Sánchez has officially been serving as the head of the Barcelona district police station for a few days now.

According to sources consulted by ARA, this change has come as a surprise at the station, as Sánchez has always worked there and is considered one of the leading specialists in violent extremism and, more specifically, in the prevention of Islamic jihadism. In fact, he was head of the Violent Extremism Prevention Unit during the 17-A attacks. Furthermore, they say it is not a consensual change, and the same sources describe it as a reduction in responsibilities.

With all this, Mossos d'Esquadra sources assure that the change is due precisely because he has a profile that has always been linked to the prevention of extremism and, in his role as commander (currently holding the third highest rank in the force), he must also test how the territory and citizen security function. Along the same lines, official sources from the force point out that the change is intended to "strengthen the territory" and add that with the new structure decree and retirements, positions are becoming vacant that must be filled. They point out that the change in Superintendent Sánchez is in line with the change at the head of the riot squad, the Mobile Brigade: two months ago, Inspector Fran Alcaide (one rank lower than Sánchez) became the new head of the El Prat de Llobregat police station.

New command

Be that as it may, these are changes that have been taking place since the Catalan police leadership was overhauled with the arrival of the PSC (Socialist Workers' Party) to the Generalitat (Catalan Government). The leadership then underwent a complete change, with the appointment of Commissioner Miquel Esquius as head of the force, and over the months, some changes have been made in key positions. In Sánchez's case, some sources within the police station suggest that he had a very different profile than the head of the station, Superintendent Carles Hernández, although they rule out the possibility of a latent conflict that triggered the change of position.

Sánchez has served as Deputy Chief of Information for the past two and a half years. Previously, he held positions in the Operations Division and the Central Area of Foreign Intelligence Unit, specializing in jihadism, which he led for seven years, coinciding with the attacks on La Rambla and Cambrils. His specialty has always been foreign intelligence and the prevention of violent extremism. He also served as the force's spokesperson when it came to discussing jihadism and operations against violent extremism.

This change comes at a key moment in the fight against terrorism, with an alert level of 4 out of 5. However, with several latent armed conflicts in the Middle East, police sources confirm that there is an increase in the dissemination of jihadist propaganda, especially online, in addition to the rise of the far right at the European level.

It is still unclear who will replace Superintendent Sánchez. It is true that sources consulted by ARA state that she could be selected from the new group of superintendents expected to emerge in the coming months. These new superintendents are also being considered for other vacant positions, such as the deputy director of the General Mobility Commission.