HIBAPRESS – Barcelona: Omar Razzini
The death of the young Moroccan, Haitam, 35 years old, in the city of Torremolinos on the Spanish Costa del Sol, has reignited the discussion about police practices and the rights of the Moroccan community in the country. The incident turned into a public opinion issue after conflicting accounts between the security authorities on the one hand, and the victim's family and the local community on the other.
The incident occurred last week inside a mobile phone store, after the Spanish National Police went to the place following a report of an attempted theft. According to the police statement, the young man was carrying scissors and refused to obey the officers' orders, which prompted them to use electric shock devices several times to subdue him.
According to the official narrative, Haitam collapsed after receiving the shocks, and the resuscitation process was unsuccessful, before his death was announced as a result of a respiratory cardiac arrest.
The National Police also confirmed that the victim was in a "state of severe agitation" which forced its elements to intervene to protect the employees and those present in the store. It also did not rule out the possibility of him using drugs before the incident, noting that he uttered religious phrases during the confrontation.
Despite its justification for the method of intervention, the police officers face widespread criticism from human rights organizations and immigrant associations.
For their part, Haitam's family and residents of the area categorically rejected the official narrative. They confirmed that the young man was not trying to steal the store, but only wanted to borrow a phone charger after his device's battery ran out. They considered that the police resorted to "excessive and unjustified violence" in dealing with him.
Signs appeared at the scene demanding "Justice for Haitam," while the protesters described the incident as "murder" and not a "natural death."
The authorities have also launched an official investigation that includes several main axes:
Medical examinations: The forensic medicine is conducting comprehensive tests to reveal the precise causes of death, including the impact of electric shocks, and the possibility of the presence of drugs in the victim's body or previous undiscovered diseases.
Review of surveillance recordings: The family demands the publication of recordings of the store and surrounding streets cameras, considering that they may resolve the controversy over the sequence of events and the nature of Haitam's interaction with the police.
The silence of many Spanish civil associations has aroused the resentment of the Moroccan community, who believes that these organizations focus on cultural activities and do not pay attention to issues of discrimination and police violence. Activists also point out that Islamic associations are subject to legal restrictions that limit their ability to defend the rights of community members.
This incident comes in the context of a series of similar incidents, the victims of which were Moroccan immigrants, including the death of another young man in Madrid at the hands of two policemen who were off duty and under the influence of alcohol. Many fear that these events reflect a dangerous pattern in the way some police officers deal with minorities.
Activists also emphasize that the repetition of such incidents, with the absence of strong institutional responses, deepens the immigrants' feeling of marginalization and increases the lack of trust between them and the Spanish authorities. The victims' families also find themselves facing a complex confrontation with lengthy and costly legal procedures without adequate support.
The Moroccan community also demands a transparent and independent investigation and the accountability of those responsible for the death, in addition to reviewing the policies of using force and training in dealing with minorities. Human rights activists also call for the establishment of more stringent controls on the use of electric shock devices.
The future of this case depends on the extent of popular and media pressure, the role of human rights organizations, and the Spanish authorities' willingness to take practical steps towards real reforms.
The dignity and human rights of immigrants remain a non-negotiable issue, while everyone awaits the results of the investigation to see whether this tragedy will lead to tangible change or will join a long series of painful issues.
