Two teenagers have been arrested for an alleged hate crime after a homeless man was chased, knocked to the ground and repeatedly kicked in the head in Sevilla.
The suspects, aged 18 and 19, from Mairena del Aljarafe, are being investigated for assault and a hate crime motivated by aporophobia – hostility or discrimination towards the poor or homeless.
The arrests were made by the Guardia Civil under Operation Klipper.
Investigators allege that the pair chased the victim through a park before violently knocking him down.
Once he was lying motionless on the ground, they delivered repeated kicks to his head and face until he lost consciousness.
Several residents witnessed the assault and recorded the incident.
The attackers allegedly fled after realising they were being filmed, leaving the unconscious victim on the ground.
Once he regained consciousness, the man left the area voluntarily. Emergency services later found him and provided medical treatment.
Footage of the attack was later circulated on social media, bringing the incident to the attention of the Guardia Civil.
Officers discovered that the suspects had allegedly been harassing and threatening the victim for several days before the assault.
They are suspected of throwing stones and oranges at him while he slept and threatening him at the place where he sheltered overnight.
The Guardia Civil said its investigation remains open.
