- Eurodeputy Alvise Pérez shared a “wanted” style post on Telegram accusing a migrant youth in Torrevieja of criminal behavior.
- This sparked xenophobic comments and calls for violent “hunts” against migrants within his Telegram community.
- The channel has over 650,000 subscribers and the chat group involved nearly 100,000 participants.
- Despite public outcry, neither the politician nor the group moderator have removed hate speech or condemned the calls for violence.
- This follows previous controversies involving Pérez, including the sharing of police data of detainees which triggered legal scrutiny.
- Journalist Daniel Albin of Público reporting on the case faced threats and harassment from Pérez’s supporters online.
Eurodeputy Alvise Pérez’s Telegram Channel Sparks Outrage Over Hate Speech and Migrant Harassment
The Telegram channel of Alvise Pérez, an ultra-right eurodeputy and leader of the political group Se Acabó la Fiesta (SELF), is once again embroiled in controversy for spreading hate speech targeting migrants. On September 3rd, Pérez posted a “wanted” notice with the photo of a young man alleged to be a leader of a group of unaccompanied migrant minors - derogatorily referred to as “menas” – in torrevieja, Alicante.
“Wanted” Notice Fuels Xenophobic Violence Calls
In his post,Pérez accused the migrant youth and his group of assaulting local children and using ”sexualized shouting” to harass a teenager’s girlfriend. He warned that these individuals were “dangerous” and carried sharp weapons. Pérez implored his vast Telegram audience of over 654,000 subscribers for any information to “locate and detain” the young man, publicly sharing an email address for contact.
This inflammatory publication ignited a torrent of xenophobic responses among users in the associated chat group, which counts roughly 92,000 members. Messages found by the newspaper Público included:
- Calls for ”hunting groups” to seek out migrants and subject them to violent attacks.
- Extreme hate speech, including suggestions to “decapitate,” “castrate,” or even “exterminate” migrants.
- References to past violent episodes like the “cacerías” (hunts) of migrants in Torre pacheco,Murcia.
- Explicit threats towards migrants, with no intervention or moderation by the group administrator.
The Telegram Chat’s Toxic Habitat
the group chat connected to Pérez’s official channel offers a platform where nearly 100,000 individuals freely express opinions, many of which cross into hate speech territory. Despite the openly violent and racist language, no comments have been removed or censured by the channel administrators. Users posted hateful rhetoric such as:
- “Two options: guillotine or send them back to Morocco.”
- “Better to hang them from a tree to scare others.”
- “Pólvora y al mar” – implying use of gunpowder and throwing migrants into the sea.
These toxic messages reflect a growing undercurrent of hostility towards migrants fueled by some elements within the far-right circles in Spain.
Previous Legal Scrutiny and Pérez’s Stance
This episode is not isolated. In June, Alvise Pérez faced examination by Spain’s Supreme Court over possible hate speech for publicly sharing police documents revealing the identities of 79 detainees from Bilbao’s 2023 festivities. Though the court declined to initiate formal proceedings, it highlighted the magnitude of Pérez’s influence and content reach.
When questioned by Público about his duty for the Telegram post and the violent responses it triggered, Pérez refrained from answering directly.Instead, he shared the journalist’s inquiry prominently on his Telegram and X (formerly Twitter) channels. In a pinned message, Pérez framed the migrant as a dangerous criminal and dismissed concerns raised by the media as “surreal.”
Backlash Against Reporting Journalist
Coverage of the Telegram controversy by journalist Daniel Albin from Público led to a wave of online harassment and threats from Pérez’s supporters. Numerous users in Pérez’s Telegram chat and social media platforms targeted Albin with insults, calls for violence, and shared his personal social media information, endangering his safety.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Telegram Channel Subscribers | Over 654,000 |
| Associated Chat Members | Approximately 92,000 |
| Date of Controversial Post | september 3, 2023 |
| Accusation Target | Youth alleged to lead migrant minor group (“menas”) |
| Nature of Responses | Xenophobic, violent hate speech, threats of physical harm |
| Journalist Targeted | Daniel Albin (Público) |
| Legal Context | Previously investigated for hate speech but no charges filed |
What This Means for Spain and Online Hate Speech
This incident highlights the growing challenge of moderating hate speech and misinformation on social media platforms, especially within popular interaction channels used by political figures. The unchecked spread of xenophobic rhetoric against migrants poses serious risks for community cohesion and public safety.
Authorities and platform owners face mounting pressure to act responsibly and ensure that calls for violence or harassment are halted promptly. Meanwhile, victims of such campaigns – whether migrants or journalists covering the issue – remain vulnerable to hostility and abuse.
Key Takeaways
- Political leaders must be mindful of the impacts their public communications have on hate speech climates.
- social media platforms, including Telegram, need stronger mechanisms for content moderation in politically sensitive channels.
- Public vigilance and responsible journalism remain crucial in exposing and countering xenophobic narratives.
As the conversation continues, it remains to be seen whether Alvise Pérez or his platform will take concrete actions to address these deeply troubling developments.
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