Spanish 'Blocus' network linked to Barcelona riots expands to dozens of cities

A study by the Golden Owl startup identified the Blocus brand as the digital catalyst behind the October 24 riots in Barcelona, which resulted in 130 arrests and extensive property damage. The network spreads calls for action on TikTok, then directs users via QR codes or private links to encrypted Telegram and WhatsApp groups that provide detailed guidance on clothing, target selection and tools for smashing storefronts.

Following the Barcelona events, the group launched several new accounts within hours to promote additional protests in cities like Terrassa and Bilbao, where similar attacks on vehicles and shops were reported. Content posted publicly includes AI-generated flyers and videos, while the main Telegram channel in Barcelona grew rapidly before many messages were removed and replaced with coded language. The group’s administrators, using pseudonyms such as “FuckA.E.A.T.”, claim to be based in Sabadell and have warned of police infiltration. Although the messages are written in Spanish and involve participants of diverse backgrounds, the study found no evidence of foreign direction or identified the real operators.