Evidence of Psychological Manipulation in the Process of Violent Radicalization: An Investigation of the 17-A Cell

Abstract

IntroductionRadicalization leading to violence is a complex social process that frequently targets young people. In this study, we examine the 17-A cell, which carried out terrorist attacks in the Spanish cities of Barcelona and Cambrils on August 17, 2017. We focus on the psychological manipulation techniques used to radicalized members of the cell.MethodsUsing deductive content analysis, we examined the judicial order of the National High Court related to “Operation Ramblas” and the police proceedings of Cuerpo de Mossos d'Esquadra (CME) associated with the Barcelona and Cambrils attacks. Our goal was to determine whether psychological manipulation was used on the cell members and, if so, how frequently.ResultsOur results suggest that different psychological manipulation techniques were used on the 17-A cell members to facilitate their use of ideological violence. The most frequent strategies were cognitive control (control of attention, group identification, and denigration of critical thinking), environmental control (control of information), and emotional control (authoritarian leadership).ConclusionsThis study provides evidence that psychological manipulation techniques were used in the radicalization of 17-A cell members. The results are discussed in the context of previous research on the psychology of violent extremism and terrorism. We highlight the need for prevention and psychosocial interventions to steer young people away from violent extremism.

Analysis of the radicalization of the 17-A terrorist cell: an empirical approach using the 3N model (Análisis del proceso de radicalización de la célula terrorista del 17-A: una aproximación empírica desde el modelo 3N)

“…With regard to the indicator ‘acceptance of illegal activities to contribute to the cause’, the group’s use of the Takfir wal-Hijra doctrine (Irujo, 2017; Trujillo et al, 2018; Ventura, 2013) may have allowed them to adopt the Taqiyya (Ventura, 2013), which is the act of hiding one’s beliefs when under threat, persecution or coercion, or when pursuing a specific objective, like jihad (Campbell, 2005). This may have helped them to agree to participate in illegal activities banned by Islam in order to finance their fight against the infidels (González et al, 2022; Ventura, 2013), such as theft: ‘When arrested, Driss OUKABIR stated that his brother Moussa OUKABIR had confessed that Said AALLA had entered the restaurant […] in Ripoll to rob it’ (D31, line 8). As cited in the police proceedings analysed, even though theft is forbidden in the Islamic creed (Quran 5:38), ‘goods from non-Muslims ( ghanima ), are legitimated to finance acts of terrorism’ (D98, line 10).…”

“…According to the police and judicial investigation (Audiencia Nacional, 2018; Mossos d’Esquadra, 2018), Es Satty acted as a recruiter and leader of the cell using family bonds and friendships established within the group to guarantee the cohesion, confidentiality and loyalty of its members. Likewise, the leader seems to have been a key factor in the radicalization of the youths, who were presumably inspired by the sectarian doctrine of Takfir wal-Hijra (González et al, 2022; Irujo, 2017; Trujillo et al, 2018).…”

“…For the 'identity fusion' indicator, a visceral feeling of union with the group was detected among the members (Gómez & Vázquez, 2015;Swann et al, 2012), which first encouraged a relative distancing from relatives and friends and the gradual abandonment of previous routines and secondly strengthened and validated the group's ideas and beliefs (shared values and norms) (González et al, 2022), as shown by the following quote: 'They constituted an endogamous group, to which practically nobody had access, and which produced a voluntary isolation-distancing from is closest environment (relatives, friends and acquaintances) in this decisive stage' (D9, line 21). Furthermore, it was detected that this visceral bond among the members was able to foster group cohesion and control through behaviours involving submission and obedience, as shown in the following quote:…”

“…The internalisation of the jihadist doctrine led Youssef AALLA, Younes ABOUYAAQOUB and Mohamed HICHAMY to also turn into radicalising elements that transmitted and imbued their ideological credo to Moussa OUKABIR, Driss OUKABIR, Said AALLA, Omar HICHAMY, El Houssaine ABOUYAAQOUB and Mohamed HOULI CHEMLAL, with whom they were joined by bonds of kinship and friendship, and most importantly by a trusting relationship which stemmed from the years of growing up together. (D4, line 8) With regard to the indicator 'an internal common cause shared by the group', it was detected that all the members shared perceptions and attitudes that helped them to adopt pro-group behaviour (commitment, sacrifice), which presumably made them more permeable to the violent discourse (González et al, 2022) and boosted their willingness to die for a cause, as shown in the quote below:…”

“…Además, se ha detectado que este vínculo visceral entre los miembros pudo favorecer la cohesión y el control grupal mediante conductas de sumisión y obediencia, como muestra la siguiente cita: La interiorización de la doctrina yihadista, provocó que Youssef AALLA, Younes ABOUYAAQOUB y Mohamed HICHAMY se convirtieran, a su vez, en elementos radicalizadores y transmitiesen e imbuyesen su credo ideológico a Moussa OUKABIR, Driss OUKABIR, Said AALLA, Omar HICHAMY, El Houssaine ABOUYAAQOUB y Mohamed HOULI CHEMLAL, con los que les unían lazos familiares y de amistad, y lo más importante una relación de confianza que emanó con el paso de los años al crecer juntos. (D4, línea 8) Respecto al indicador 'el grupo comparte una causa común interna', se ha detectado que a todos los miembros compartían percepciones y actitudes, lo cual facilitó la adopción de un comportamiento pro-grupal (compromiso, sacrificio) que presuntamente los hizo más permeables al discurso violento (González et al, 2022) y aumentó su disposición a morir por una causa, tal y como denota la siguiente cita:…”