Attempted Theft and Assaults on three Christians

Case information
Incident date
Country
Spain
Place
Orihuela
Categories
  • Social Hostility / Intolerance
Attack Against
  • Faith
Perpetrator / Motive Indicators
  • Private
Hate Crime & Violent Incidents
  • Physical Violence
  • Theft
Place of Incident
  • Church
Bias Indicators
  • Significance of Property/Structure/Location to religious community
Reported to Police
  • Yes
Response of Local Authorities
  • Investigated

On 26 May 2023, a man was arrested after attempting to steal a chalice, and assaulting three parishioners in the Church of San James Apostle, in the city of Orihuela.

The alleged thief struggled with three worshippers who tried to prevent him from stealing the precious item from the temple after he had taken it from the high altar without permission.

Sources