A major conflict is unfolding in Badalona: the Barcelona prosecutor’s office has launched an investigation into the city’s mayor, Xavier Garcia Albiol. The reason is the mass eviction of migrants from the former B9 institute building, which took place on December 17, 2025. As a result of the operation, around 170 people were left homeless, sparking a wave of public outrage and criticism directed at the city authorities.
Events moved rapidly. In the days leading up to the eviction, some residents left the building on their own, but the majority—mostly migrants—ended up on the street after police intervention. The operation was carried out by the Mossos d’Esquadra and, according to eyewitnesses, was marked by a tense atmosphere and protests.
Allegations and Investigation
Shortly after the incident, the prosecutor’s office received numerous complaints. Particular attention was drawn to an initiative by MEP Jaume Asens, who appealed to the department for investigating hate crimes and discrimination. His complaint refers to possible violations ranging from incitement to hatred to denial of services for discriminatory reasons, as well as disobeying court orders and abuse of power.
The prosecutor’s office acted swiftly and launched an official investigation. Now it must determine whether the actions of the mayor and the municipality were based solely on administrative necessity, or if there were other, less transparent motives behind them. The central issue in this case is whether the rights of migrants were violated.
Public reaction
The eviction from B9 made waves far beyond Badalona. The city drew the attention of human rights organizations, politicians, and ordinary residents of Catalonia. Many believe the authorities acted too harshly, failing to offer alternative accommodations for people left on the street in the middle of winter.
Debate continues both on social media and in the city streets. Some support the mayor, arguing that the institute building no longer met safety standards and was unsuitable for living. Others insist this is a case of discrimination—a move to expel vulnerable groups under the pretext of restoring order.
Political context
The eviction story quickly took on a political dimension. Opposition parties seized on the situation to criticize city authorities and Xavier García Albiol personally, accusing him of cruelty and indifference to people’s lives. The mayor himself has so far refrained from detailed comments, sticking to statements about the need to uphold the law and ensure safety.
Meanwhile, in Catalonia, the debate is intensifying over how such crises should be handled. The issues of migrants’ rights, the social responsibility of local authorities, and the acceptable methods of maintaining order have once again come to the forefront of public attention. It seems this story will continue to stir discussions among the region’s residents for some time to come.
