Lleida City Council will act as a private prosecutor in the case of a violent incident in La Bordeta, after residents were attacked with axes, bladed weapons, shovels and bars on Tuesday.
Mayor Fèlix Larrosa confirmed the decision and said the case is under investigation. He said the council would present itself as a private prosecutor and added, “We must be forceful.” He also said the events were “unacceptable” and that he would not allow anyone to think the council was looking the other way.
The incident happened on Tuesday afternoon when a group of squatters assaulted the owner of a property they had illegally occupied. According to the report, the attackers chased the homeowner, and neighbours came to his defence.
The group later returned minutes afterwards armed with axes, bars and bladed weapons, causing a disturbance and threatening residents. Officers from the Guàrdia Urbana and the Mossos d’Esquadra responded to the scene, and four young people, three men and one woman aged between 18 and 21, were arrested.
Larrosa said the Paeria would be forceful in cases involving public disorder and disruption to coexistence. He said the council would always act as a private prosecutor in such situations and would pursue the matter firmly. For more local reporting, see our news coverage.
The council said it has enough lines of intervention to prevent cases like this, and that when they do happen it will act forcefully. The judicial bodies will now determine the council’s role in the proceedings.