SPAIN: PROSECUTORS SEEK THREE-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE FOR LOCAL POLICE OFFICER OVER ANTI-MUSLIM SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS

🇬🇧 ENGLISH

EML Islamophobia Watch – Monitor. Verify. Document. Respond.

Spanish prosecutors have requested that a local police officer from Reinosa, Cantabria, stand trial over a series of social media posts allegedly targeting migrants, particularly people of North African origin and Muslims.

The case has attracted the attention of EML Islamophobia Watch because it involves an officer entrusted with public authority and messages which, according to prosecutors, collectively associated Muslims and people of Maghrebi origin with crime and violence.

According to the prosecution document reported by Spanish media, the officer allegedly used a public account on X to repeatedly publish derogatory messages during and after the unrest that occurred in Torre Pacheco, Murcia, in July 2025.

Some of the posts used highly offensive language against people of Maghrebi origin, advocated their collective expulsion from Spain and, according to prosecutors, risked legitimising hostility and violence.

The scale of the dissemination is particularly significant. One thread reportedly reached approximately 6.5 million views, with tens of thousands of interactions.

The investigating court had already ordered the precautionary removal of the disputed content in March 2026.

The Cantabria Prosecutor's Office is now seeking a three-year prison sentence, an eleven-month fine, additional disqualification from certain activities and the permanent closure of the social media account.

No final judgment has been issued. The allegations therefore remain subject to judicial examination and the accused retains the presumption of innocence.

EML ISLAMOPHOBIA WATCH: THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS

The European Muslims League considers it essential to distinguish legitimate debate on immigration, security and integration from collective accusations directed at people because of their ethnic origin or religious identity.

Criticism of immigration policies or public-security decisions is part of democratic debate. Describing an entire population as inherently criminal or dangerous, however, moves the discussion from criticism of policies or individual conduct towards collective stigmatization.

The case also raises a broader question concerning the responsibility of public officials on social media.

Police officers and other representatives of public authority occupy positions that require particular attention to impartiality and public trust. When messages capable of generating hostility towards religious or ethnic communities achieve millions of views, their potential social impact extends far beyond an individual social-media account.

EML Islamophobia Watch will follow the judicial proceedings while respecting the presumption of innocence and will monitor whether further institutional measures are adopted.

The European Muslims League reiterates that combating anti-Muslim hatred must never mean restricting legitimate criticism or political debate. The objective is to identify and document the point at which criticism becomes falsification, collective attribution, dehumanisation or incitement to hostility against people because of their identity.

Monitor. Verify. Document. Respond.

European Muslims League (EML)

Islamophobia Watch – European Monitoring & Response Unit

🇮🇹 ITALIANO

SPAGNA: LA PROCURA CHIEDE TRE ANNI DI CARCERE PER UN AGENTE DELLA POLIZIA LOCALE PER MESSAGGI ANTI-MUSULMANI SUI SOCIAL

EML Islamophobia Watch – Monitor. Verify. Document. Respond.

La Procura spagnola ha chiesto che un agente della Polizia locale di Reinosa, in Cantabria, venga processato per una serie di pubblicazioni sui social network rivolte contro migranti, in particolare persone di origine nordafricana e musulmani.

Il caso ha attirato l'attenzione dell'EML Islamophobia Watch perché coinvolge un appartenente alle forze di polizia e messaggi che, secondo l'accusa, associavano collettivamente musulmani e persone di origine magrebina alla criminalità e alla violenza.

Secondo l'atto della Procura riportato dai media spagnoli, l'agente avrebbe utilizzato un account pubblico sulla piattaforma X per pubblicare ripetutamente messaggi denigratori durante e dopo i disordini avvenuti a Torre Pacheco, nella regione di Murcia, nel luglio 2025.

Alcuni dei messaggi utilizzavano espressioni fortemente offensive contro persone di origine magrebina, sostenevano la loro espulsione collettiva dalla Spagna e, secondo la Procura, rischiavano di legittimare ostilità e violenza.

Particolarmente significativa è stata la diffusione dei contenuti. Uno dei thread avrebbe raggiunto circa 6,5 milioni di visualizzazioni, accompagnate da decine di migliaia di interazioni.

Il giudice istruttore aveva già disposto, nel marzo 2026, la rimozione cautelare dei contenuti contestati.

La Procura della Cantabria chiede ora tre anni di reclusione, una multa di undici mesi, ulteriori misure di interdizione da determinate attività e la chiusura definitiva dell'account utilizzato per diffondere i messaggi.

Non esiste al momento una sentenza definitiva. Le accuse dovranno pertanto essere esaminate nel procedimento giudiziario e resta ferma la presunzione di innocenza dell'imputato.

EML ISLAMOPHOBIA WATCH: LA RESPONSABILITÀ DI CHI ESERCITA UNA FUNZIONE PUBBLICA

La European Muslims League ritiene fondamentale distinguere il legittimo dibattito sull'immigrazione, sulla sicurezza e sull'integrazione dalle accuse collettive rivolte alle persone in ragione della loro origine etnica o appartenenza religiosa.

Criticare le politiche migratorie o le decisioni in materia di sicurezza pubblica appartiene al normale confronto democratico. Descrivere invece un'intera popolazione come intrinsecamente criminale o pericolosa sposta il discorso dalla critica delle politiche o dei comportamenti individuali alla stigmatizzazione collettiva.

Il caso pone inoltre una questione più ampia sulla responsabilità di chi esercita funzioni pubbliche nell'utilizzo dei social network.

Gli appartenenti alle forze di polizia e gli altri rappresentanti dell'autorità pubblica ricoprono ruoli che richiedono particolare attenzione all'imparzialità e alla fiducia dei cittadini. Quando messaggi capaci di alimentare ostilità nei confronti di comunità religiose o etniche raggiungono milioni di visualizzazioni, il loro potenziale impatto sociale supera ampiamente la dimensione di un singolo account.

EML Islamophobia Watch seguirà l'evoluzione del procedimento giudiziario nel pieno rispetto della presunzione di innocenza e verificherà l'eventuale adozione di ulteriori provvedimenti istituzionali.

La European Muslims League ribadisce che contrastare l'odio anti-musulmano non significa limitare la critica legittima o il dibattito politico. L'obiettivo è individuare e documentare il punto nel quale la critica diventa falsificazione, attribuzione collettiva, disumanizzazione o incitamento all'ostilità contro le persone in ragione della loro identità.

Monitor. Verify. Document. Respond.

European Muslims League (EML)

Islamophobia Watch – European Monitoring & Response Unit

A Bridge of Peace in Kuala Lumpur: WOS-IPSP and the Maha Vihara Buddhist Temple Strengthen Cooperation on Interreligious Dialogue and Human Rights

KUALA LUMPUR, June 28, 2026 – At a time when international tensions and humanitarian crises continue to challenge global stability, the promotion of interreligious dialogue remains an essential instrument for building peace and protecting human dignity.

On June 28, 2026, at the historic Maha Vihara Buddhist Temple in Kuala Lumpur, a bilateral meeting took place between Mr. A. Hemadasa, Vice President of the Temple, and Father Marco Baragli, Counselor for International Cooperation and Interreligious Dialogue of the World Organization of States – International Parliament for Safety and Peace (WOS-IPSP).

The meeting, which lasted more than two hours, was held in an atmosphere of mutual respect and constructive dialogue, focusing on the shared commitment to peace, human rights, and cooperation among religious communities.

A central theme of the discussions was the rejection of violence and armed conflict in all its forms. The representatives reaffirmed that lasting peace cannot be achieved solely through political or military means but requires the active participation of religious communities in promoting reconciliation, mutual understanding, and respect for the dignity of every human being.

Representatives of the Maha Vihara Temple emphasized that the Buddhist principles of Ahiṃsā (non-violence), Karunā (compassion), and Mettā (loving-kindness) constitute fundamental ethical values capable of inspiring cooperation among peoples and preventing hatred, discrimination, and conflict.

The dialogue also examined Malaysia's unique religious and cultural diversity. While the country has a Muslim majority, it is also home to long-established Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Taoist, and Sikh communities. During the discussions, attention was drawn to the importance of ensuring that all religious communities receive equal recognition and protection within society, preserving their individual identities while strengthening national unity.

Particular appreciation was expressed for the work carried out by the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST), established to promote cooperation among Malaysia's major non-Muslim religious communities and to safeguard religious freedom and constitutional rights. The Council is currently chaired by Most Reverend Monsignor Julian Leow Beng Kim, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur, whose commitment to interreligious dialogue has received broad international recognition.

A significant part of the meeting was dedicated to the serious challenge posed by human trafficking, recognized as one of the most urgent humanitarian issues affecting Southeast Asia. The participants discussed concerns related to forced labour, exploitation of migrant workers, trafficking of women and children, and the growing phenomenon of transnational cyber-scam operations targeting vulnerable individuals.

The discussion emphasized the importance of strengthening international cooperation, supporting victims, combating corruption, and encouraging coordinated action among governments, civil society, and religious institutions in accordance with international human rights standards.

Looking toward future cooperation, Mr. Hemadasa expressed his intention to further strengthen relations with the World Organization of States by supporting initiatives dedicated to peacebuilding, interreligious dialogue, and the promotion of fundamental human rights. During the meeting, the possibility of organizing a future institutional event involving national authorities and representatives of the country's principal religious communities was also discussed. In this context, Father Marco Baragli would be invited to participate as a representative of WOS-IPSP.

The Temple leadership also expressed its interest in establishing a structured collaboration with WOS-IPSP to expand initiatives promoting dialogue among religions and international cooperation in the field of human rights.

The meeting concluded with the shared conviction that lasting peace can only be achieved through cooperation among institutions, religious communities, and civil society, founded upon mutual respect, solidarity, and the universal dignity of every person.

Statement by the Secretary-General

Following the meeting, H.E. Amb. Alfredo Maiolese, Secretary-General of the World Organization of States – International Parliament for Safety and Peace (WOS-IPSP), stated:

"Interreligious dialogue is not simply an exchange between faiths; it is a concrete instrument of preventive diplomacy capable of reducing tensions, protecting fundamental freedoms, and fostering peaceful coexistence among peoples. WOS-IPSP welcomes the constructive dialogue held in Kuala Lumpur and appreciates the willingness expressed by the Maha Vihara Buddhist Temple to work together in promoting peace, human rights, and international cooperation. Building bridges among cultures and religions is one of the strongest foundations for preventing future conflicts and strengthening global stability."

The World Organization of States – International Parliament for Safety and Peace (WOS-IPSP), intergovernmental organization, reaffirms its commitment to supporting initiatives that promote dialogue, mediation, respect for religious freedom, and the peaceful resolution of disputes through cooperation among institutions, governments, and faith communities worldwide.