Catalonia's police under fire: viral video sparks controversy

A viral video puts the Mossos d'Esquadra at the centre of the storm: professional conduct or ideological bias?

A couple pushes a baby stroller while, just metres away, a shirtless man brandishes a stick and flees a shop. The scene, filmed in a Barcelona neighbourhood, has become a gauge of distrust towards Catalonia's regional police. According to the footage, the officers appear to believe the attacker rather than the shopkeeper, a detail that has triggered a wave of criticism on social media.

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The account that calls the Mossos into question
The video, shared on Facebook, shows what many interpret as negligent conduct: an individual flees a robbery with a stick in his hand and the Mossos, instead of arresting him, turn to the shopkeeper. "You arrive at the scene and you believe the attacker's story," sums up a recurring analysis. The shadow of "political correctness" or separatist bias hangs over the force, accused of prioritising identity politics over public safety.

Immigration and housing: the backdrop cocktail
The neighbourhood where the incident took place is described as "ground zero" of a rapid demographic transformation. Commentators point out that migratory pressure and soaring housing costs — a flat in the area can cost 500,000 euros — create a breeding ground for tension. The couple with the stroller, a symbol of a middle class that still lives there, would be seen as naive for not fleeing.

The credibility gap
The Mossos have drawn mounting criticism over their handling of security in Catalonia, especially since the application of Article 155. The perception that they are "the worst police force in Europe" or "a political body serving the independence movement" is spreading among parts of the population. The video only fans the flames of distrust, with no official explanation from the authorities to close the debate.

The case remains open: with no clear arrests and no institutional account, the discussion lingers in the realm of suspicion and data — housing prices, the make-up of the neighbourhood — that fuel a latent tension.

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