WYD officials praised police today for their work in arresting a WYD volunteer whose apparently violent plans came to light as the result of disturbing comments he had made on the internet. The volunteer, a chemistry student, is alleged to have been plotting a gas attack against anti-Pope protestors during this week's youth festival. No chemicals were recovered during the raid.
“We condemn any type of violence. This man was a volunteer for World Youth Day, but is no longer such,” said spokesman Rafa Rubio to CNA on August 17.
“The police have acted appropriately and in line with what they had to do. This man no longer works as part of World Youth Day.”
[. . .]
The traditionally anti-Catholic Spanish newspaper El Pais claims that the arrest was to avoid the chance that any failed attack would panic people.
The newspaper also said that police were alerted by the vehemence of the man’s comments on internet forums regarding recent verbal attacks on Pope Benedict by various figures in Spanish civil society.
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| Photo: Official WYD Flickr.com/Madrid11; Rafa Rubio, WYD Director of Communications |
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