Five suspects linked to the organisation and recruitment of serious violence have been arrested in Spain, Morocco, and France, in the latest results of the Operational Taskforce (OTF) GRIMM, coordinated by Europol.

The arrests in August and September target the upper levels of violence-as-a-service: those suspected of ordering attacks, finding perpetrators and coordinating crimes from abroad. Among those apprehended are fugitives featured on the EU Most Wanted website.

Paris arrest targets suspected recruiter

In the latest action, French authorities, working with the Swedish Police Authority and Europol, arrested a man in his mid-20s in Paris on 29 September 2026. He is suspected of instigating preparations for murder.

The suspect is a High Value Target within OTF GRIMM due to his alleged role in recruiting people to carry out violence-as-a-service crimes.

His arrest follows a series of arrests targeting suspected senior criminal figures operating outside the countries where their alleged crimes took place:

• Sitges, Spain, 1 August 2026: Spanish National Police arrested a 21-year-old Swedish national identified as a High Value Target within OTF GRIMM. He is suspected of involvement in around 20 serious violent offences, including murders and attempted murders targeting rival criminal groups. He allegedly trained young recruits to carry out killings and coordinated attacks, teaching them to use firearms and explosives that he supplied. His profile had been published on the EU Most Wanted website in May.
• Tangier, Morocco, 12 September 2026: Moroccan authorities arrested a 28-year-old Danish national wanted for allegedly instigating murders and kidnappings. A High Value Target within OTF GRIMM, his profile had been published on the EU Most Wanted website in June.
• Tangier, Morocco, September 2026: Moroccan authorities arrested a 21-year-old Swedish national suspected of holding a leading role in the ‘Foxtrot’ criminal network. He was wanted for instigating violent crimes in both Sweden and Norway. A High Value Target within OTF GRIMM, his profile had been published on the EU Most Wanted website in April.
• Agadir, Morocco, 25 September 2026: Moroccan authorities arrested a 31-year-old Swedish national wanted for two alleged offences involving preparations for murder. Swedish police identify him as a central figure in directing the network’s violent activities and drug trafficking.

Reaching those who give the orders

Behind an attack can lie an entire chain of people: an instigator who orders and finances it, a recruiter who finds someone to carry it out, and facilitators who arrange weapons, transport, or payment.

Young people, including minors, are recruited through social media and messaging platforms, with promises of money, status, or belonging. Those directing the violence can use this distance to conceal their involvement while exposing recruits to the immediate risks and consequences.

OTF GRIMM follows these connections across borders to identify those behind the attacks. Arresting suspected organisers and recruiters targets the networks’ capacity to commission further violence and recruit more young people.