Two teenagers have been arrested over a disturbing video showing them setting fire to the hair of a homeless man in Sevilla.
The footage, over four minutes long, was recorded in the town of Benacazon and sparked enormous outrage among residents.
The clip, which went viral, allowed Guardia Civil officers to identify and arrest the suspects. Investigators are now probing whether a third person, possibly an adult, was also involved.
According to the Government’s sub-delegate in Sevilla, Francisco Toscano, the pair are being investigated for a hate crime, specifically for targeting a person due to his situation of poverty, as well as for sharing the video of the abuse on social media.
Sources close to the investigation say officers were able to quickly identify one of the teenagers because his face was clearly visible in the recording.
He was arrested on Thursday afternoon, while the second minor was detained on Friday morning.
Both have been handed over to the Juvenile Prosecutor’s Office, which will now decide on appropriate measures.
Local authorities confirmed that the victim does not live permanently in Benacazon, but occasionally sleeps in the town.
They stressed that he has never caused problems and is known by residents.
Benacazon’s mayor, Pedro Oropesa, condemned the attack in the strongest terms, saying there is ‘no possible explanation’ for such behaviour.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
