Moroccan Man Alleges Police Brutality, Racism in Spain World Cup Celebration Arrest

In his complaint, the Moroccan recalls that he was arrested on December 6 by the riot police while on his way to his workplace on an electric scooter, during the celebrations by Moroccans of their country’s victory over Spain in the round of 16 of the World Cup in Qatar. The young man claims to have been the victim of police violence and racist insults, reports Público.

Two agents allegedly hit him in various parts of his body and another kicked him in the head while he was immobilized, he states in his complaint. According to the plaintiff, the police officers hurled racist insults at him like "What do you do in life, you fucking Moor?" "Tonight you’re going to sleep warm," during his transfer to the police station.

Several people witnessed the scene and the "racist" behavior of the police. Some were able to record sequences with their mobile phones, he recalls in the complaint, specifying that he had already brought the case before the court of Granada, to which he had provided a series of evidence (medical reports, recordings and witness photographs) compiled by the APDHA.

But the court dismissed the case, demanding the police report. The Moroccan appealed the decision to the Provincial Court, which recognized the police violence, but considered that it seemed justified because the young man had resisted his arrest. The Moroccan then decided to seize the Constitutional Court to denounce this "institutionalized racism".