The Mossos d'Esquadra have arrested three people for their alleged involvement in the assault on a young person with a disability in L'Arboç, which occurred on March 24 and was later disseminated through social media. Among those arrested are two minors and the Catalan police have already informed the Juvenile Prosecutor's Office of the facts.
Two of the detainees are attributed alleged crimes of robbery with violence, intimidation, and degrading and vexatious treatment. The third arrest was made two days after the first two, within the same investigation opened by the Mossos.
A recorded and disseminated assault
The images that circulated online show how a young man hits the victim with kicks and punches, forces him to kneel and kiss his foot, and continues assaulting him while he remains on his knees. The case has generated a strong commotion in the municipality of Baix Penedès.
The victim has explained in a subsequent video that she has a 45% disability and that she has been enduring a situation of harassment since the school stage. In that same testimony, she recounts the impact the aggression has left on her.
"The other day they humiliated me by giving me a pretty strong beating. I have nightmares, it's hard for me to sleep sometimes." - Victim
He also states that he suffered taunts for years. "They call me fat, they laughed at me," he recounts. In his explanation, he adds how he tried to protect himself during the beating.
"When they start hitting me, the only thing I do is put my hands where they can see them, protect my body, the vital parts. Let them hit me whatever they want and I make myself a ball". - Victim
The assaulted young man also claims that they stole 40 euros from him.
Apologies after the dissemination of the videos
Two of the people who recorded the scene have later disseminated videos asking for forgiveness. One of the young people appears stating that they are repentant for what happened.
"We are sorry." - One of the young people who recorded the aggression
The mother of one of the boys who recorded the images also apologized to the assaulted young man and his family, and explained that at home they have taken measures to punish what happened.
Institutional appeal for calm
The L'Arboç City Council has asked for calm to avoid reprisals against the alleged aggressors. The mayor, Joan Sans, has pointed out that, as soon as the council became aware of the facts, it put them in the hands of the authorities with the consensus of all municipal groups.
"Given these intolerable acts and the logical indignation we share as a society, we call for calm. We must let the mechanisms of justice take their course." - Joan Sans, mayor of L'Arboç
In a statement, the mayor has also thanked the attitude of the majority of young people in the municipality, of whom he has highlighted their concern for the situation in an exercise of maturity and civility. The investigation remains open while police and judicial proceedings advance regarding an aggression that has shaken L'Arboç.