Moroccan community protests over death of young man by Spanish police

Sunday 22 June 2025 - 12:05

By: Zahouani Ilham

Moroccan community protests over death of young man by Spanish police

tragedy struck in the suburb of Torrejón de Ardoz near Madrid, Spain, when a 35-year-old Moroccan man named Abdelrahim lost his life during an encounter with the local police. The incident involved excessive use of force by a Spanish police officer attempting to detain him, sparking widespread shock and outrage within the Moroccan community living in Spain.

According to eyewitness reports, the police intervention occurred after an alert was raised about a possible mobile phone theft. The officers confronted Abdelrahim, and during the arrest, one of the police officers allegedly employed a “rear chokehold” technique. This action severely compromised Abdelrahim’s health, leading to his critical condition. Despite urgent medical attention inside an ambulance, he tragically passed away before reaching the hospital.

The Moroccan community in Spain reacted strongly to this incident, organizing a protest on Saturday, June 21, at Plaza de España in central Madrid. Demonstrators raised slogans demanding truth, justice, and accountability. Many participants condemned what they described as “arbitrary and excessive use of force” by the police, while others suggested that racial discrimination might have played a role in the case.

In response to the public outcry, Spanish authorities initiated a judicial investigation. The implicated officer was temporarily suspended from duty and had his passport confiscated as a precautionary measure. The investigation also includes a forensic examination to determine the precise cause of Abdelrahim’s death.

This event has ignited intense debate about police conduct and the treatment of minority communities in Spain. It raises pressing questions about the use of force protocols, transparency in law enforcement, and the urgent need to address potential systemic biases within the police force. The outcome of the ongoing investigation will be closely watched by both the Moroccan diaspora and human rights organizations advocating for justice and police reform.