Neo-Nazis arrested over alleged antisemitic hate crimes in Spain
The Spanish Guardia Civil (Civil Guard) has arrested three neo-Nazis on suspicion of committing antisemitic hate crimes.
The three – two men and a woman aged between 36 and 42 – have been charged with seven hate crimes and are thought to be behind a campaign of vandalism that targeted the Burgos village of Castrillo Mota de Judíos and sites of Jewish significance in Madrid.
During searches of the three suspects’ Madrid homes, the Guardia Civil found tasers and air pistols as well as books extolling Nazism and material such as pamphlets emblazoned with swastikas and Hitler’s face.
The three, who are believed to be part of a right-wing extremist group, have been charged with multiple acts of vandalism in the town of Castrillo Mota de Judíos, including antisemitic and neo-fascist graffiti, setting fire to rubbish containers and trying to burn an Israeli flag.
Until 2015, the town which has a population of just 50, was known as Castrillo Mota de Judíos which translates roughly as “Kill Jews village” or “Fort Kill The Jews.” The town now promotes its historical connection with the Jewish community resulting in frequent acts of vandalism and antisemitic hate perpetrated by neo-Nazi gangs. The Guardia Civil said this “climate of violence” was threatening and had sparked “feelings of insecurity and fear” in the inhabitants.
The trio’s alleged campaign of antisemitic vandalism and criminal damage – which reportedly included the Jewish areas of two Madrid cemeteries – began in December 2021 with antisemitic graffiti targeting the Mayor of Burgos, Alderman Lorenzo Rodríguez, saying he had “sold out to the murderous Jew.”
The activities of the right-wing group were already being monitored before the campaign had started.
Following incidents of antisemitic vandalism including at a synagogue and in the Madrid cemeteries, authorities deployed surveillance equipment and discovered that the graffiti had the same perpetrator. This led to the arrest of the three.
Campaign Against Antisemitism reports on news and incidents relating to antisemitism worldwide.
