Basque Authorities Admit Police Errors After Incident at Bilbao Airport. Police used force against Flotilla activists at Bilbao Airport. Four people were detained. Authorities acknowledged mistakes and promised an investigation into the actions of the Ertzaintza.
On Saturday, an incident involving the use of force by the Ertzaintza police occurred at Bilbao airport against members of the Flotilla delegation who were returning to the Basque Country. According to Bingen Zupiria, the head of the security department, the situation got out of control during a meeting between activists and the press: shoving and tension broke out in the arrival hall, leading to police detentions and the use of force. As a result, four people were detained on charges of disobedience.
Zupiria publicly took responsibility for the incident and announced the start of an internal investigation to determine whether the actions of the Ertzaintza officers complied with current regulations. He emphasized that the initial plan was to ensure a peaceful reception for the arrivals and free passage for other passengers. However, according to him, neither of these goals was achieved. The authorities admitted that the situation should never have escalated to the use of force.
The organizers of the Global Sumud Flotilla sharply condemned the police actions, calling them an act of "brutality." Amnistía Internacional also expressed concern, pointing to the "excessive use of force" and demanding a thorough investigation. In a published statement, the organization noted that video recordings show no grounds for such harsh measures, and the use of batons against already immobilized individuals was described as unacceptable. Amnistía Internacional insists on banning such tactics against citizens who pose no threat.
Spanish participant of the Flotilla, Javier Aparicio, described the incident as a “shock” for everyone expecting to return home during a broadcast on RTVE, and compared the police's actions to how they were detained by Israeli forces during the mission. According to him, the moment that struck him most was when an Ertzaintza officer pinned an activist’s neck with his knee.
The incident in Bilbao has sparked broad discussion about the acceptable limits of police use of force in public places. In recent years, Spain has repeatedly debated the issues of transparency and accountability within law enforcement, especially after high-profile incidents at mass events. In the context of regional conflicts and protest actions, such as the recent situation in Madrid, where the independence of the capital and relations with the central government were under discussion, the issue of balancing security and civil rights has again become a focal point. According to RUSSPAIN, such incidents can affect public trust in the police and intensify calls for reforms in public safety.
For reference: Ertzaintza is the autonomous police force of the Basque Country, endowed with broad powers in the region. Bilbao Airport (Loiu) is the largest air hub in northern Spain, regularly hosting delegation meetings and protest actions. Flotilla is an international initiative advocating for Palestinian rights and humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip.
