FUNDACIÓN VÍCTIMAS DEL TERRORISMO 93 - ENGLISH

14 nomena such as self-indoctrination and online propaganda, but the truth is that Spain had already incorporated most of these behaviours into the 2015 reform of the Criminal Code. This meant that our adaptation was minimal and very quick, demonstrating the strength of the Spanish criminal framework in this area. In the field of internet prevention, the application of Regulation (EU) 2021/784 on terrorist content online represented a significant leap forward. Spain —through CITCO and UNECI— was the first Member State to imple- ment it fully, issuing the first European removal orders. This leadership has po- sitioned us as a benchmark in protect- ing the digital space from terrorist use. At the same time, we are also respond- ing to new forms of terrorist financing, especially those involving crypto-assets. We are doing so with a robust regulato- ry framework, a highly active superviso- ry system, advanced technical capabil- ities and well-developed public-private cooperation. This allows us to detect emerging typologies more accurately— such as micro-donations, front NGOs, or flows to conflict zones using crypto- currencies—and drastically reduce their scope for action. The National Strategic Plan against Terrorist Financing, coor- dinated by CITCO, includes specific ac- tions to prevent and prosecute the use of virtual assets for this purpose. In this area, we have taken concrete steps: crypto-asset service providers must register with the Bank of Spain and act as reporting entities to SEP- BLAC, which involves identifying customers, applying risk controls and reporting suspicious transactions. In addition, Spain is one of the most advanced countries in the implemen- tation of the MiCA Regulation (Regu- lation (EU) 2023/1114 on crypto-asset markets) and in the application of the Travel Rule to crypto-asset transfers, which reduces anonymity and facilitates traceability. And, at the operational lev- el, the Security Forces and Corps and SEP-BLAC already use blockchain anal- ysis tools in real investigations. All this is complemented by strong cooperation with the financial sector, fintech, crypto-asset providers and Europol, enabling the sharing of ty- pologies, the anticipation of risks and a rapid response to new forms of ille- gal activity. The National Counter-Ter- rorism Strategy and specific plans on radicalisation and financing place this digital dimension at the centre of the State's action. In short, Spain is responding to in- creasingly digital, decentralised and sophisticated terrorism with a compre- hensive approach: regulation, supervi- sion, technology, international cooper- ation and constant adaptation of our capabilities. From your perspective, how can in- stitutional and social support for vic- tims of terrorism be strengthened? Strengthening institutional and social support for victims of terrorism means placing them at the centre of our public policies. The National Strategy Against Terrorism already recognises their tes- timony as a decisive tool for preventing radicalisation and countering extremist narratives, and at CITCO we are work- ing to translate that vision into concrete actions. We work closely with the Directo- rate-General for Support to Victims of Terrorism and participate together in European forums where their voice plays a role in defining preventive pol- icies. We also maintain a stable line of work with the Memorial Centre for Victims of Terrorism, especially in the "Education and Memory in the Face of Terrorism" programme, where we con- tribute with training aimed at the early detection of radicalisation processes in educational centres throughout Spain. In addition, this year we have launched a project to systematically integrate the victims' perspective into our activ- ities to remove terrorist content from the digital environment. The aim is to identify more accurately those materials that may cause further harm to victims and to act more effectively within the existing legal and operational frame- work. Ultimately, supporting victims means recognising their role as an essential part of our response to terrorism, both in prevention and in building a society that firmly rejects all forms of extremist violence. ` CITCO, winner of the 2024 Adolfo Suárez Human Rights Award from the Victims of Terrorism Foundation. INTERVIEW WITH THE DIRECTOR OF CITCO NEWS