A man filmed squeezing a topless protester’s breast outside a memorial for late Spanish dictator Francisco Franco has been arrested.
The Policia Nacional said the suspect is accused of sexually assaulting two FEMEN activists during a protest outside a packed Madrid church, where a mass in honour of Franco was being held.
Sources from the Government confirmed the arrest on Sunday, stressing their ‘firm commitment’ to combating sexual violence, defending women’s rights and ensuring the free exercise of protest without intimidation or aggression.
The incident took place on November 20 outside the Parroquia de los Doce Apostoles, where Franco’s family and the Francisco Franco Foundation had organised a mass marking the 50th anniversary of the dictator’s death.
The two activists had approached the church shouting slogans such as ‘Fascismo legal, vergüenza nacional’ and ‘Al fascismo, ni honor ni gloria’, carrying fabric banners as they staged a brief protest.
They were quickly confronted by attendees arriving for the service. Among them was a man holding a pre-constitutional Spanish flag who moved to block their path.
The women can be heard on footage telling him: ‘Señor, que no toque, que no toque’, (don’t touch, don’t touch) as other attendees surrounded them.
During the scuffle, one woman managed to snatch a banner from the activists, and the two reported being pushed, insulted and subjected to unwanted touching.
The protest lasted only a few minutes before the activists left the scene unaided.
Police say the investigation remains open as officers take further statements and examine videos circulating on social media.
