Catalan Interior Minister Núria Parlon has strongly denied any link between the fatal stabbing of a woman in Esplugues de Llobregat on Saturday, 2 May, and a terrorist attack.
Parlon stated in an interview that the attacker is, at first glance, a person "in an altered state" and likely has "a problem that has nothing to do with jihadism". The incident has caused concern across the Barcelona metropolitan area.
The 112 emergency service received a call at around 11am, reporting that a man had injured a woman and then fled the scene. Mossos d'Esquadra officers arrested the alleged perpetrator shortly after. The Criminal Investigation Division (DIC) is now handling the case, which remains under a secrecy order.
The local council in Esplugues de Llobregat condemned the "brutal murder", expressing its "concern" as it affects "coexistence and public safety", according to an official statement.
Reinforcing weapon prohibition
Parlon also acknowledged a difficult weekend in Barcelona and praised the Mossos d'Esquadra's strategy as "appropriate and correct". She called for a stronger "prohibitive culture" against knives.
"We will not give up on reducing crime and acting with full force to provide the appropriate response, because coexistence is at stake," the minister said. She added that "zero crime does not exist", but crime figures are decreasing.
The investigation into the Esplugues de Llobregat stabbing continues, with authorities focusing on the individual circumstances of the attacker rather than any broader extremist connections. Further details are expected once the secrecy order on the proceedings is lifted.
