The Provincial Court of Barcelona acquits a Mossos d’Esquadra officer accused of having injured a protester during the demonstrations against Felipe VI’s visit in 2018

The events reportedly took place during the opening dinner of the Mobile World Congress at the Palau de la Música on 25 February 2018. The protester who was attacked brought a private prosecution, claiming that the Mossos d’Esquadra officer, from the ARRO unit, had hit him on the head during the demonstration. The prosecution was seeking a five-year prison term and period of disqualification from public employment on the charge of causing injuries, with the aggravating factor of abuse of power and public office. The Provincial Court of Barcelona acquits the officer, arguing that if there is the slightest doubt regarding the cause and perpetrator of the injury, its obligation is to acquit the defendant. One of the judges dissents, arguing that the testimony given constitutes sufficient evidence as to the identity of the perpetrator.