Man Arrested After Spitting on Christ Image in Fuengirola Church
A 31-year-old man was arrested for spitting on a crucifix and attempting to damage the altar inside the Church of San José in Fuengirola, Spain, in an incident investigated as a hate crime and offense against religious sentiment.
On October 2, 2025, a 31-year-old man of African origin entered the Church of San José in Fuengirola, Málaga, Spain, through an open side entrance used for cleaning and proceeded to spit on the image of the crucified Christ and attempt to damage the altar glass. According to eyewitnesses, the man acted aggressively and fled the scene “shouting in a foreign language” after being startled by the screams of two women inside the church.
The parish priest filed a formal complaint, describing the act as “an offense and contempt for Christian symbols.” The National Police arrested the suspect in the nearby town of Mijas and opened an investigation for a hate crime and violation of religious feelings. The incident was part of a series of reported attacks on Christian sites in the Málaga province throughout 2025.
UPDATE MAY 2026: Judicial authorities in Fuengirola have opened preliminary criminal proceedings in relation to the incident at St Joseph’s Church in Fuengirola. The case is now under investigation to determine the legal classification of the facts and any potential criminal liability.
Source: ABC / eldebate / diariosur
Photo: X.