Former Catalan politician shot in face in Madrid | Inquirer News

Former Catalan politician shot in face in Madrid

/ 06:47 AM November 10, 2023

Police work at the site where Alejo Vidal-Quadras, former head of Spain's People's Party in the Catalonia region, was shot in the face, in Madrid

Police work at the site where Alejo Vidal-Quadras, former head of Spain’s People’s Party in the Catalonia region, was shot in the face in Madrid, Spain, November 9, 2023. REUTERS/Nacho Doce

MADRID — The former head of Spain’s center-right People’s Party in the Catalonia region was shot in the face in the Spanish capital Madrid on Thursday, police said.

Alejo Vidal-Quadras was shot in the wealthy Salamanca area of central Madrid at about 1.30 p.m. and taken to hospital.

Article continues after this advertisement

Hospital authorities said his life was not in danger.

FEATURED STORIES

Police were hunting a gunman and an accomplice who drew up near Vidal-Quadras on a black Yamaha motorcycle, shot him, then drove off.

Rescue workers said a bullet passed through Vidal-Quadras’ jaw.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: Thousands celebrate Catalonia Day as regional parties become Spain’s kingmakers

A torched motorcycle that police believe was used in the attack was later found. No arrests have been made. Police told Reuters no motive had been established for the attack.

Article continues after this advertisement

Vidal-Quadras, 78, was a former head of the center-right People’s Party (PP) in Catalonia and a founder of Spain’s far-right Vox party. He also served as European Parliament vice-president between 2009 and 2014.

Article continues after this advertisement

Spanish politicians, including the PP leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo and Vox leader Santiago Abascal, expressed their shock and sadness at the attack and, with Spain’s Acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, called for a thorough investigation and swift arrests.

“All my affection at this time for Alejo Vidal-Quadras and his family,” Sanchez posted on social media.

Article continues after this advertisement

Italy’s right-wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said in a statement Vidal-Quadras was the victim of a “cowardly attack” and wished him a speedy and full recovery while condemning “an act of unacceptable violence, perpetrated against a political representative of an important European nation.”

Shahin Gobadi, member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, said in a statement on Thursday that Vidal-Quadras has been a staunch supporter of the Iranian opposition movement and fight for human rights in Iran over the past 25 years.

RELATED STORIES

Catalan leader threatens independence after chaotic vote

Hundreds of thousands rally in Barcelona for Spanish unity

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

TAGS: Catalan, Spain, world news

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.