A Madrid judge has ordered six people to stand trial for hurling eggs and insults at PSOE deputies before Pedro Sánchez’s investiture. Prosecutors seek a €8,640 fine for public disorder. The case highlights rising political tensions.
Six individuals will stand trial in Madrid after being accused of throwing eggs and shouting threats at four PSOE deputies just hours before Pedro Sánchez’s investiture session in November 2023. The incident, which took place at a café near the Congress of Deputies, has led to calls for significant penalties, with the prosecution demanding a €8,640 fine for public disorder and disrespect to authority.
The confrontation unfolded early on November 16, 2023, when deputies Daniel Senderos Oraá, María Luisa García Gurrutxaga, Vicent Sarrià Morell, and Herminio Sancho Íñiguez gathered for breakfast at El Barógrafo, a café on Calle del Príncipe. According to court documents, several men entered the establishment, loudly insulting the deputies and escalating tensions. One of the deputies contacted police for assistance, but before officers arrived, eggs were thrown, striking at least one parliamentarian in the face.
The prosecution argues that the accused acted out of clear hostility toward the deputies’ political views and intended to disrupt the investiture session. The case file cites phrases such as “Traidores, lo vais a pagar” and “asquerosos, traidores, os tendrían que matar,” reflecting the aggressive tone of the confrontation. The private prosecution is seeking even harsher penalties: six years in prison, a €6,000 fine, and €10,000 in compensation for each affected deputy, alleging an attack on authority in addition to public disorder.
In her order to open the trial, the judge has required the six defendants to post a joint bond of €40,000 to cover potential liabilities. Failure to do so will result in the seizure of assets to guarantee the amount. The Provincial Court of Madrid will set the trial date in the coming months. As reported by EL PAÍS, the case has drawn attention to the growing polarization around key parliamentary events.
One of the deputies, Herminio Sancho Íñiguez, described how the situation escalated rapidly after he noticed suspicious behavior outside the café. He recounted that after entering, the group was confronted by shouting men, prompting a call to police. The attack occurred as he was leaving for the Congress, when he was struck in the face by an egg.
The prosecution’s case emphasizes the political motivation behind the attack, noting that the accused sought to intimidate the deputies and interfere with the investiture process. The incident is part of a broader pattern of heightened tensions around Spanish parliamentary proceedings. For context, recent months have seen increased security measures and scrutiny of political gatherings, as highlighted in reports such as the Italian government’s extension of border checks for travelers from Spain due to security concerns, detailed in this related coverage.
Spain’s legal framework treats attacks on public officials and disruptions of parliamentary activity as serious offenses. The outcome of this trial could set a precedent for how similar incidents are handled in the future, especially as political divisions remain pronounced. The case also underscores the importance of security for elected officials and the potential legal consequences for those who cross the line from protest to aggression.
