The security department of the Basque government has strongly condemned assaults on officers from the Ertzaintza and the Policía Municipal in Bilbao Following the final night of the popular festival Aste Nagusia in the early hours of Sunday, the department urged society to reject behaviour that threatens safety and social cohesion, and not to normalise disrespect or violence towards those who work to keep the public safe.
According to police, several incidents required a response across the city overnight. The Ertzaintza reported 14 arrests on suspicion of offences related to public disorder. In at least one incident, the Ertzaintza and Policía Municipal worked closely together. The authorities’ brief statements initially provided no information about injuries or the specific alleged offences.
The security department’s condemnation comes amid a broader policing operation during the festivities. In recent nights, the Ertzaintza had repeatedly deployed additional officers in Bilbao to manage large crowds and prevent disturbances. For the night into Sunday, regional media consistently reported incidents that led to the arrests mentioned above. The authorities also noted that investigations and internal reviews of the operations are ongoing.
Reactions from the ranks of the security services followed immediately. The union Esan condemned the attacks on officers and called for a clear zero-tolerance approach to assaults. Representatives of the professions stressed that consistent prosecution and a visible presence during the busiest periods of major events go hand in hand in limiting risks to officers and revellers. Officials did not announce any specific organisational changes for future operations on Sunday.
Aste Nagusia is one of Spain’s largest urban festivals, drawing tens of thousands of visitors to central Bilbao each year over several days. The authorities had announced additional security and traffic measures in advance. With this year’s festival over, those responsible are now turning their attention to reviewing the events of the final night. The security department reiterated its appeal to the public not to tolerate violence against officers and to report incidents promptly.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).