Berlin, July 29, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Spanish authorities to ensure that police forces guarantee the safety of journalists covering protests after freelance journalist Xavi Hurtado
was hit by a police officer
while
covering
a demonstration in Palma, Mallorca and left needing hospital treatment for a head wound and bruising.
On July 26, Hurtado was
documenting
clashes between Spain’s National Police force and demonstrators following a largely peaceful protest against overtourism on the Mediterranean island.
Video
footage
from multiple angles, reviewed by CPJ, appears to show Hurtado photographing police as they confronted the protesters and then
an officer striking Hurtado
, who fell to the ground.
Hurtado
said
on X that he had needed stitches for a forehead wound and also had bruising to his legs and abdomen. He was treated in hospital before being released later the same day.
“Journalists in Spain must be able to report on police operations during protests safely and without fear of being assaulted by police,” said Attila Mong, CPJ’s Europe representative. “Xavi Hurtado was doing his job when a police officer struck him. Police must not use violence against journalists, and must allow them to document demonstrations, including officers’ use of force, without interference.”
On July 27, Spain’s government delegate in Mallorca, Alfonso Rodríguez,
said
the police intervention appeared “excessive and violent,” adding that some officers seemed to have used force against people who posed no threat. He said he had requested a full report from the National Police to determine responsibility.
Local media
quoted
police sources as saying police intervened after what they described as a “radical minority” threw stones, bottles, sticks, and other objects at officers. Police said five officers were injured while organizers of the protest said more than 10 demonstrators were injured.
CPJ emailed Spain’s Ministry of
… [more]
