Spanish police have arrested the leader of an anti-immigrant group accused of inciting violence that has plagued Torre Pacheco for days, targeting businesses and residents linked to the town's North African community.
Far-Right Leader Arrested Following Anti-Immigrant Riots in Spain
Far-Right Leader Arrested Following Anti-Immigrant Riots in Spain
Authorities detain head of "Deport Them Now" as violent unrest shakes Torre Pacheco, igniting fears among local communities.
The police in Spain have taken into custody the leader of an anti-immigrant group, known as "Deport Them Now," on charges related to inciting extensive violence in the southeastern town of Torre Pacheco, according to the interior ministry on Tuesday. The individual, identified by the initials C.L.F., was arrested on Monday amid escalating clashes between far-right demonstrators and law enforcement. His group has been known for propagating hateful content about immigrants via the Telegram app, a factor linked to the unrest over the past four days in the Murcia region.
As tensions soared, authorities deployed riot police and civil guard members to the town in anticipation of more violence. This unrest represents one of the significant public disturbances in Spain, occurring in the context of a liberal government that has liberalized immigration laws, allowing undocumented immigrants to gain legal status more easily. For four consecutive nights, rioters targeted businesses associated with the local Moroccan population, vandalizing shawarma restaurants and halal grocery stores, while also attacking establishments catering to other immigrant groups, including Pakistani and Turkish communities.
With clashes resulting in injuries and the involvement of law enforcement, authorities have arrested at least 11 individuals connected to the far-right movements participating in the uprising. Investigations into the rhetoric of other political figures, notably from the Vox party, are also underway, as prosecutors look into possible hate speech that could have further incited the violence. The party's regional leader, José Ángel Antelo, a former basketball player, has been scrutinized for his inflammatory statements against Spain's immigration strategies, raising questions about the broader implications of political discourse in escalating communal tensions.
As tensions soared, authorities deployed riot police and civil guard members to the town in anticipation of more violence. This unrest represents one of the significant public disturbances in Spain, occurring in the context of a liberal government that has liberalized immigration laws, allowing undocumented immigrants to gain legal status more easily. For four consecutive nights, rioters targeted businesses associated with the local Moroccan population, vandalizing shawarma restaurants and halal grocery stores, while also attacking establishments catering to other immigrant groups, including Pakistani and Turkish communities.
With clashes resulting in injuries and the involvement of law enforcement, authorities have arrested at least 11 individuals connected to the far-right movements participating in the uprising. Investigations into the rhetoric of other political figures, notably from the Vox party, are also underway, as prosecutors look into possible hate speech that could have further incited the violence. The party's regional leader, José Ángel Antelo, a former basketball player, has been scrutinized for his inflammatory statements against Spain's immigration strategies, raising questions about the broader implications of political discourse in escalating communal tensions.
