Abascal protest in Maó: Vox files criminal complaint

A protest by 200 to 300 people in Maó, Menorca, ends with police charging to disperse the crowd and a woman spending the night in hospital. The protesters had gathered on Friday against an appearance by Vox leader Santiago Abascal. Vox has now filed a criminal complaint against Alfonso Rodríguez, the Spanish government’s delegate in the Balearic Islands, over his decision to allow the protest.

A 32-year-old protester spent the night at Mateu Orfila Hospital after treatment for multiple injuries. Vox accuses Rodríguez of an electoral offence, a hate offence and an offence against the right of assembly.

Vox says Rodríguez knew there was a risk after incidents at similar events in A Coruña and Avilés. In its complaint to the Court of First Instance in Maó, the party also says he failed to provide enough police officers to keep Abascal’s event safe.

The complaint alleges that protesters left their authorised gathering place, blocked exits from the square and threw chairs and other objects at officers. It says Abascal’s vehicle was surrounded and struck, including by a chair. Vox wants the protesters involved to be investigated too.

Més per Menorca, meanwhile, condemns what it calls repression of peaceful anti-fascist protesters. If the court opens an investigation, Vox wants it to obtain the protest notices, risk reports and police deployment orders.

Topics: Police · Protests · Palma

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com