Muslim Man Assaults at Least 10 Women at Train Station
29Feb 11, 2024
Police report that a man has attacked at least ten women at a metro station in Barcelona, with indications that he specifically targeted them because of their gender. Initially, authorities suspected that the attacker, a Moroccan national, may have been under the influence of alcohol or drugs during the incidents.
One victim was captured on video being struck in the face while she was listening to music on her headphones and looking at her phone, resulting in a perforated eardrum.
A specialized police unit focused on hate crimes is now leading the investigation. After reviewing CCTV footage, they found that the 30-year-old suspect seemingly chose his victims randomly, all of whom were women.
The assaults occurred at the Camp de l’Arpa station on Line 5 of the Barcelona metro, where six women, including the one who was punched, were assaulted as they waited on the platform. Evidence has been collected that points to at least four additional attacks.
The police made a public appeal yesterday morning, asking other potential victims to come forward after apprehending the suspect late Friday night. He was re-arrested around 11 PM after officers received CCTV evidence of him attacking multiple women on the platform, resulting in serious injury to at least one.
By the time law enforcement acted, many female passengers had already boarded their train and departed the station. Reports indicate that at least two bystanders were assaulted as they attempted to pursue the attacker after he targeted the woman with headphones.
A spokesperson for the regional Mossos d’Esquadra police force in Barcelona confirmed the arrest, stating, “On Friday night, we detained a man for assaulting several women at the Camp de l’Arpa metro station. We are investigating the possibility of more victims. If you have been assaulted, please report it to any police station.” As of now, it remains unclear how many women have reached out in response to the police’s call for additional reports.
Tania Verge, the Catalan Minister for Equality and Feminism, expressed her support on Twitter, stating, “We stand with the women who were assaulted on Barcelona Metro’s Line 5. We offer gender-based violence support services for those in need.”
