Spanish police arrested four activists from the Global Smud Flotilla at Bilbao Airport following clashes after their return from Turkey. Videos showed police dragging and beating them. This incident follows Spain’s summons of Israel’s chargé d’affaires over a controversial video of Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir mocking the detained activists. Spain’s Foreign Minister condemned the treatment of the activists as “inhuman” and “shameful.”
Israel’s Foreign Ministry reacted by demanding explanations from Madrid and accused the activists of causing chaos. The arrested activists face charges of disobedience, resisting arrest, and assaulting police. The confrontation started when Spanish delegation members were approached by someone in the terminal, leading to police intervention.
The Basque Security Service has launched an investigation into the police’s actions, and the leftist Spanish Basque party EH Bildou condemned the police response as unjustified. They demanded the release of the detainees and called for the Basque Security Minister to explain the situation.
Global Smud Flotilla criticized the police for their use of force, claiming that an emotional reunion was disrupted. This event occurred alongside ongoing unrest in Spain, with thousands protesting in Madrid against Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez for corruption scandals, resulting in injuries and arrests among demonstrators.
Source link
