Three underage migrants have said that, in the Spanish exclave of Ceuta they were sprayed with pepper spray by military personnel on the night of 28 September while they were asleep or just waking up. According to their accounts, the alleged incident took place near the Polígono del Tarajal Residents gave consistent accounts, saying they had seen uniformed people fleeing and had then helped those affected.
Independent media in Spain have documented the allegations. elDiario.es, El Faro de Ceuta and RTVE refer to video clips, photographs of eye irritation and statements by the young people. There has been no judicial finding to date; according to local sources, formal complaints have not yet been filed in every alleged individual case.
In response to media enquiries, the Defence Ministry says that the use of defensive sprays is in principle permitted only in situations of self-defence or to protect others. The ministry did not confirm whether members of the troops deployed in Ceuta used pepper spray on the night in question. It also said the incident was being examined; according to the authorities, they are supporting the police and judicial investigation. No detailed official chronology of the alleged events was available by the morning of 29 September.
The background is an increased presence of security forces and the military in Ceuta over recent weeks. In this context, according to consistent reports by several newsrooms and associations, pepper spray has been issued as additional equipment to some patrols. The soldiers’ associations UMT and ATME publicly called on the Ministerio de Defensa to investigate reports of disproportionate use of force exhaustively and to communicate clear rules of engagement. The Objective and specialist media picked up the criticism and pointed to legal ambiguities surrounding the status of such spray devices.
Local human rights organisations are demanding protective measures for minors, the identification of possible victims, and an independent criminal and disciplinary investigation. Authorities say that secured evidence, such as videos and medical certificates, is being assessed. For now, these are serious allegations, but they have not been established by a court.
The allegations, visual evidence and announcement that the incidents will be examined are documented. The specific sequence of events has not been officially verified. Legal assessments of soldiers’ use of pepper spray apply only in general terms and must be applied to the individual case. Further investigation findings and official statements are awaited.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).