Costa News Spain Breaking News | English News in Spain.
Four members of the same family have been detained after an alleged attack on pro-Palestinian demonstrators in Alicante, with police saying an officer was injured while trying to separate those involved.
The arrests were made by the Policía Nacional after trouble broke out on Saturday evening at the Paseo de la Explanada, where a regular pro-Palestinian gathering was taking place.
Police say the group began confronting protesters
According to police sources, the four people detained – a 16-year-old boy, a 38-year-old man, a 40-year-old woman and a 60-year-old man – are accused of approaching the demonstration and starting to insult those taking part before the situation turned violent.
Officers were sent to the scene after a call alerted them to what was happening in the centre of the city. When they arrived, they had to request reinforcements to help bring the incident under control.
Police said the group was highly agitated and that one officer was reportedly assaulted while attempting to separate both sides. The detainees face possible offences relating to the right of assembly, injuries, resisting police and disobedience.
Family link and reported injuries
The four detainees were identified by police as members of the same family. Spanish media reports said they were foreign nationals and were in the city on holiday, although police have only confirmed their ages and that they are linked by family ties.
Other reports about the incident said several people needed medical attention after the clash, although the police account released so far has focused on the arrests and the alleged offences under investigation.
The protest at the Explanada has been held regularly in recent months as part of demonstrations in support of Palestinians and against the bombardment of Gaza. The detention of four people after Saturday’s disturbance marks the most serious public order incident linked to one of those gatherings so far.
The investigation remains under way.
