Ceuta street mime jailed after sports club burglary

The judicial authorities have ordered the preventive detention of the man who gained popularity last summer by imitating Charlie Chaplin outside the Superior Police Headquarters in Ceuta. He is accused of an offense against immigration laws and aggravated theft at sports facilities on Ribera Beach.

The man, who captured media attention during the summer by performing as a mime in the style of Charles Chaplin outside the Superior Police Headquarters in Ceuta to entertain protesting minors, has been sent to prison. He is now held at **Mendizábal** penitentiary center, awaiting a trial whose oral hearing is scheduled for **2027**.

## From the streets to prison

His administrative status had been precarious for months. His asylum request had been denied and he was subject to a return order, meaning he lived on the streets. The National Police are searching for other migrants in similar situations to transfer them to Segarro via the **Tarajal** border crossing.

The incident that led to his incarceration occurred on **October 31**. He accessed sports facilities on Ribera Beach by forcing open containers. Although he did not steal anything, he was discovered and fled. Identification was straightforward: he still had paint traces on his face.

## A known mime in Loma Colmenar

Before living on the streets, the man had stayed at the temporary accommodation facility in **Loma Colmenar**, where he organized his own performances. Previously, when the settlement known as El Trampolín had not yet been dismantled, he lived in shacks built on the sand dunes.

The arrest took place this Thursday. After refusing a plea deal, the judge ordered his preventive detention. He is charged with an offense against immigration laws—for remaining in Ceuta with denied asylum—and aggravated theft.

## Preventive detention and a distant trial

The case will proceed with the oral hearing set for **2027**, a timeline that effectively extends the pre-trial detention of a defendant who has not yet been judged. Preventive detention is not a conviction but a precautionary measure while proceedings are underway.

It should be noted that every accused person is presumed innocent until a final judgment is issued. In a matter involving both immigration law and incivil law, it is prudent to await the court's decision.