The Juzgado de Instrucción nº 20 in Madrid has opened trial proceedings against six men who allegedly, on 16 November 2023 near the Congreso de los Diputados insulted four MPs from the PSOE and threw eggs at them. The order opening the proceedings is dated 27 July 2026. The court also ordered joint and several security of €40,000 to cover possible civil claims in the event of a conviction.
According to Fiscalía the prosecution is seeking a total fine for each defendant of 24 months at €12 per day (€8,640 per person), as well as an order to pay the costs of the proceedings. The charges are public disorder (desórdenes públicos), for which a 12-month fine is sought, and four separate three-month fines for minor offences involving disrespect towards authority. The four MPs concerned are appearing as private prosecutors and, in their submissions, are seeking considerably harsher penalties, including prison sentences of several years; elDiario.es reports that requests of up to six years have been made. Claims for damages and compensation are also under consideration.
The events took place on the morning of the investiture of Pedro Sánchez, when aggressive protests took place around the parliament. According to contemporaneous reports, including by RTVE, the MPs concerned had to be escorted by officers to reach the building safely. Shortly after the incident, police secured evidence, identified suspected perpetrators and passed their findings to the courts.
What is established: With the opening of trial proceedings, the case goes to the competent criminal court, which will decide on the hearing schedule, the taking of evidence and any separation of proceedings. The presumption of innocence remains in force; the penalties sought by the Fiscalía and the claims made by the private prosecutors are legal positions, not a finding of guilt. Predictions about convictions or sentence lengths are speculative and depend on the evidence heard at trial. Depending on the outcome, possible consequences include fines, civil damages and conditions. Whatever the verdict, the case is likely to renew debate about security around the Congreso de los Diputados and the protection of elected representatives during politically charged events.
Several national media outlets, including elDiario.es and El País, have reported consistently on the order and its main details; examination of the court decision supports the amounts cited and the legal characterisation.
Editor: Phillipe Schmidt-Araguin (Article created with AI assistance).