Online calls for looting and violence over Halloween weekend have prompted fresh concern in Spain after shops were targeted during unrest in Barcelona. Police have now arrested the alleged founder of Blocus, the movement linked by investigators to calls for further gatherings in several Spanish cities.

The Guardia Civil detained the suspect in Picanya, Valencia province, on Friday, October 30. EWN previously reported on the online mobilisation in its Halloween warning over new looting calls across Spain.

#OperacionesGC | Detenido en Picanya el presunto fundador e impulsor del movimiento “#Blocus” en España

📍 Picanya (#Valencia).

▶️ El detenido estaría vinculado a convocatorias difundidas en redes sociales que, bajo la apariencia de protestas estudiantiles y otras reivindicaciones sociales, buscaban llevar a cabo saqueos y actos violentos

👮🏻‍♂️ La investigación se relaciona con los disturbios del 24 de octubre en #Barcelona, en el que alrededor de 500 personas participaron en los altercados.

🚔 La detención se ha producido mientras se preparaba una nueva movilización para el día 31 de octubreda a convocatorias para saqueos y actos violentos bajo cobertura de protestas estudiantiles

🔗https://t.co/m8rlWgOFII

— Guardia Civil (@guardiacivil) October 30, 2026

According to the police, the man created and administered Telegram groups used to coordinate the planned actions. He also allegedly presented himself on social media as the person in charge of Blocus in Spain.

Investigators say he shared a video featuring a masked individual claiming to be the movement’s leader. The case could involve charges of aggravated public disorder and participation in a criminal organisation, although the final legal classification will depend on the judicial investigation, according to Europa Press’s report on the arrest.

Blocus linked to Barcelona riots

The arrest follows disturbances in Barcelona on Saturday, October 24, when hundreds of people took part in unrest that resulted in shops being looted, fires being started and numerous arrests.

The disturbances included looted shops, burning rubbish bins and clashes with police, with businesses in the city centre forced to close as the violence escalated. EWN reported on the Barcelona looting and street violence that left shoppers trapped inside El Corte Inglés.

Authorities are investigating calls for further demonstrations on Saturday, October 31, coinciding with Halloween. Online calls have circulated for gatherings in several Spanish cities, although the existence of a call does not mean that an event will necessarily take place or turn violent.

According to investigators, Blocus recruitment began with videos on TikTok and posters featuring QR codes directing interested young people into WhatsApp and Telegram groups. RTVE, the Spanish state broadcaster, has also examined how Blocus used social media to spread calls for demonstrations.

Police allege that some messages encouraged participants to wear black clothing and masks to make identification more difficult. Other communications reportedly identified shops as potential targets and discussed how to carry out looting.

The authorities have not established that every account or person using the Blocus name was part of a single, centrally controlled organisation.

Police prepare for further gatherings

Barcelona’s security authorities have agreed to coordinate police and judicial action in response to planned gatherings, stressing the need to prevent a repeat of the previous weekend’s violence, according to El País’s report on the city’s security preparations.

Investigators are continuing to examine the online networks behind the calls for unrest and whether further individuals were involved in organising the alleged criminal activity.

The identity of the man described by the Guardia Civil as the movement’s alleged founder has not been confirmed in the official announcement.