Two leaders of Spain’s far-right Democracia Nacional tore up a Moroccan flag outside Congress in Madrid on Thursday, as protests continued over the mass arrival of migrants in Ceuta at the end of July.
Pedro Chaparro, the group’s president, and vice-president Gonzalo Martín were filmed holding up the flag before tearing it apart in front of demonstrators gathered near the lower house of parliament.
Democracia Nacional later claimed responsibility for the act, describing it as a symbolic response to what it called threats from Morocco and invoking Spanish sovereignty over Ceuta, Melilla and the Canary Islands.
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The protest was held as Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez appeared before Congress to address the events of July 30 and 31.
Sánchez told lawmakers that there was no “solid evidence” that Morocco had organized the migrant arrivals and said his government would publish the reports in its possession.
The Madrid protest came on the same day that two Moroccans died in separate incidents in Ceuta.
A Moroccan man aged between 25 and 30 was stabbed to death in a home in the Poblado de Regulares area.
Spanish police arrested a woman suspected of killing him following what investigators believe was an argument inside the property.
La Razón reported that the woman was the victim’s first cousin and had been housing him after his arrival in Ceuta at the end of July.
Police sources cited by EFE confirmed that a knife was used but said it had not yet been established whether the victim was among those who entered Ceuta during the July 30-31 arrivals.
The investigation is continuing to establish the circumstances and motive.
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Earlier on Thursday, a 17-year-old Moroccan boy was found dead in his room at a temporary reception center in Ceuta.
The teenager, who was under the care of local social services, had severe diabetes and required insulin treatment.
Other residents raised the alarm at about 7am after he failed to wake up.
The teenager had experienced recurring episodes of high and low blood sugar and underwent his latest medical check on Monday.
A medical complication linked to his diabetes is among the initial possibilities being considered, but an autopsy will determine the cause of death.
Health sources cited by Europa Press said his medical follow-up was up to date.
