Updated

The Spanish Interior Ministry says police have arrested two people of Moroccan origin on suspicion of recruiting militants and spreading propaganda for the Islamic State armed group.

A ministry statement said the two, one of whom has Spanish nationality, were arrested Wednesday in Cornella de Llobregat town, just outside the northeastern port city of Barcelona.

The operation came a day after police in Madrid arrested three Moroccans suspected of preparing to carry out an attack in Spain for IS.

The ministry said the two arrested Wednesday maintained contacts with Islamic State group members in conflict zones and organized propaganda support meetings in Spain to recruit members.

Spanish police have arrested about 50 suspected jihadi militants and recruiters so far this year.