Catalonia's Interior Minister, Núria Parlon, says she may take legal action against far-right leaders who blamed migrant minors for a recent murder in Manresa. The case has sharpened political divisions, as extremist groups use the killing of Carles Vilajosana, a well-known local gardener, to push their agenda.
The controversy centers on public statements by Sílvia Orriols of Aliança Catalana and Ignacio Garriga of Vox. Both used social media to claim Moroccan minors committed the crime. Speaking on Catalunya Ràdio, Parlon called the claims xenophobic and false. She clarified that the suspects are 16-year-old Catalans, one with Catalan parents and the other with parents from outside Spain. Police and government sources cited by EFE and ARA confirm the suspects are 15 and 16, both born in Catalonia, and not unaccompanied foreign minors as some politicians claimed.
The police investigation established that the fatal incident occurred around 5:10 a.m. on Sant Jaume street during a fight between two groups of four or five people. The murder, which happened early Tuesday, has unsettled the Bages region. The local council held a minute of silence and declared a day of mourning.
Meanwhile, far-right groups organized protests in Manresa, repeating claims that link violent crime to migrant youth. Police say both suspects have prior records and were living in a squatted apartment previously flagged for disturbances by the Mossos d'Esquadra. ARA and EFE reported that Parlon has publicly rejected the idea that the suspects are tied to migrant centers, stressing their Catalan birth and backgrounds. ARA reported that the investigation remains open and police have not ruled out the involvement of additional individuals. Authorities are still clarifying the circumstances.
Parlon argues that police action alone is not enough. She points to educational and family problems, alongside broader social pressures that may have played a role in the suspects' actions. She called for broader reflection on how two teenagers could become involved in such a serious crime. Information from official statements, the suspects are expected to appear before the Juvenile Prosecutor's Office on Wednesday, with their transfer to the Fiscalía de Menores scheduled for September 2.
This is not an isolated case. Across Spain, politicians have increasingly used crimes involving minors to push anti-migrant messages. As reported earlier, hardline rhetoric around migration has gained ground, with far-right parties using public fear to call for stricter policies and target entire communities.
In the Manresa case, misinformation spread quickly, even after authorities clarified the suspects' backgrounds. The rush to assign collective blame before establishing the facts shows how extremist groups seek to polarize public opinion. Parlon's willingness to pursue legal action marks a shift: Catalan institutions are pushing back against efforts to link individual crimes to entire communities. The case shows how easily political actors can shake public trust when they put ideology ahead of verified information.
