The detainees in Oviedo are accused of assault with injuries and hatewhile police search for the sixth suspect
The National Police have arrested five of the six alleged perpetrators of the attack on left-wing activists Rubén Rosón and Jorge Fernández during the San Mateo festivities in Oviedo. The detainees, all adults, are accused of " hate crime assault " and will be brought before a judge. Police have identified a sixth suspect, who is still at large. The investigation was carried out by the Provincial Information Brigade.
The incident occurred in the early hours of September 11th in Oviedo's Cathedral Square . Rosón, a former councilor for Somos Oviedo, and Fernández, both doctors and members of the Asamblea Moza d'Asturies (AMA ), were volunteering at a booth run by the Fiestes Populares collective when a group of eight young people began vandalizing it. According to the victims, the attackers tried to tear down the skirt displaying the LGBTQ+ flag and an anti-racism banner.
Homophobia
When the two activists tried to stop it, they were beaten and kicked by the group. The aggressors uttered insults such asmaricones"And"filthy commies” and subsequently left the place shouting “Up SpainThe attack was recorded on video by a bystander. The footage helped authorities identify the alleged perpetrators. Rosón y Fernandez They had to be transferred to Central University Hospital of Asturias (HUCA)where they were treated for their injuries.
The arrest of five suspects occurred on the same day that the mayor of Oviedo, Alfredo Canteli, released a statement. In it, he condemned “ unequivocally and without any reservations ” any form of violence. The statement comes after the controversy generated by his remarks on Sunday, when he described the attack as “ an anecdote ” and stated that he did not believe the attackers were “ such bad people.”
Canteli has now expressed his support for the victims and their families and demanded that the facts be clarified and those responsible brought to justice. However, Rosón and Fernández have criticized the statement, pointing out that the mayor has not explicitly retracted his initial remarks nor contacted them personally to apologize. The victims consider a statement issued after several days of controversy insufficient. For this reason, they are maintaining the demonstration scheduled for this Saturday, September 19, in front of Oviedo City Hall.
