Palma attack: visitor thrown from van

A visitor to Mallorca was found tied up and beaten on the road at s'Aranjassa, in Palma, on Tuesday after allegedly being thrown from a moving van. He told Spanish National Police that three men had burst into the property where he was staying alone, assaulted him and forced him into the vehicle. A Palma court on Friday ordered two suspects to be held in custody, while the third was released.

Europa Press

The man had travelled to the island to visit a friend who lived at the property. His friend had gone out, leaving the visitor alone when the alleged attack happened. Police say he was driven away and thrown from the van a few kilometres later.

Visitor allegedly used as a warning

Investigators believe the friend who lived at the property was the intended target. The attackers may have thought he was in one of the rooms when they entered.

According to the investigation, the assault on the visitor was meant as a warning and a threat to the resident, rather than because the men mistook the visitor for him. The victim told officers that the men had threatened to do the same to his friend.

Police trace three suspects

The 091 emergency line was alerted after the injured man was found on the s'Aranjassa road. His description of the attackers led officers to a worker at the property, who was arrested after police found the van there.

The National Police robbery unit later identified and arrested two further suspects. Investigators believe the property's owner may have hired the two men, with the worker also involved, to settle financial differences or remove the resident from the house. All three are being investigated over alleged unlawful detention, assault and threats.

Mallorca attack: visitor thrown from moving van in Palma

Visitor allegedly used as a warning

Police trace three suspects