Bilbao Riots: 17 Arrested After Anti-Fascist Protest Against Vito Quiles
Violent unrest broke out in Bilbao, northern Spain, following a demonstration against far-right activist Vito Quiles near the University of Deusto. The Basque police, known as the Ertzaintza, later revised the arrest count to 17 people detained and one person under investigation.
The incidents included damage to vehicles, urban furniture and commercial premises, as well as fires and confrontations involving police. The authorities condemned the violence as investigations continued.
What happened in Bilbao?
Several hundred young people reportedly gathered to protest against Quiles, whose planned appearance at the University of Deusto had prompted opposition from anti-fascist demonstrators.
The protest escalated into street disturbances. According to the Basque authorities, incidents included stones being thrown at police facilities and a municipal police motorcycle being set on fire. Cars, street furniture and business premises were also damaged. Media reports additionally described looting during the unrest.
The reported incidents caused concern over public safety and the impact on businesses and residents in the affected area.
Ertzaintza updates the arrest figures
The Ertzaintza initially reported 19 arrests in connection with the disturbances. In a subsequent update published on October 27, the police revised the figure to 17 people arrested and one person under investigation.
According to the updated police statement, ten of those arrested were minors—eight boys and two girls. The other seven were adults aged between 18 and 25.
The adult detainees were released pending a summons, while the minors were referred to the Juvenile Prosecutor’s Office.
The updated figures supersede the initial arrest count and should be used when reporting the latest official balance.
Vito Quiles’ appearance was cancelled
The Basque Department of Security said Quiles had notified the authorities at 4:06 p.m. on Monday that he would not proceed with the event. A possible change of venue had also been discussed before the cancellation.
The cancellation did not prevent unrest from taking place in the surrounding area.
The episode highlights the challenges faced by authorities when politically charged events draw opposing groups into the same area. It also underlines the importance of distinguishing peaceful protest from violence and criminal damage.
Separate migration protest reported in Madrid
Separately, a demonstration concerning migration policy and the situation in Ceuta was reported in Madrid. Estimates of attendance differed significantly: figures cited in the source material put the authorities’ estimate at around 20,000 participants, while organisers claimed that as many as 180,000 attended.
Those figures have not been independently confirmed here through a primary official source and should therefore be treated as attributed estimates rather than a verified attendance total.
Editorial perspective: Protest must not become violence
Peaceful protest is a fundamental democratic right, including the right to oppose political figures and their views. But violence, arson, looting and attacks on property undermine that right and put the public at risk.
Authorities should investigate alleged offences impartially, publish accurate information and ensure that any legal consequences follow due process. At the same time, political disagreement should not be used to justify collective blame against demonstrators who acted peacefully.
The events in Bilbao are a reminder that defending democratic freedoms also means protecting public safety, the rule of law and the rights of people who are not involved in the confrontation.
Official sources
- Ertzaintza — Updated arrest figures: https://www.ertzaintza.euskadi.eus/lfr/fr/web/ertzaintza/inicio/-/asset_publisher/kRiDaff6wlvj/content/26_0773-17-personas-detenidas-y-una-investigada-por-los-disturbios-de-ayer-en-bilbao
- Ertzaintza — Initial report of 19 arrests: https://www.ertzaintza.euskadi.eus/lfr/en/web/ertzaintza/inicio/-/asset_publisher/kRiDaff6wlvj/content/26_0772-la-ertzaintza-eleva-a-19-el-n%25C3%25BAmero-de-detenidos-por-los-disturbios-en-bilbao
- Basque Department of Security — Statement on the disturbances: https://www.ertzaintza.euskadi.eus/lfr/es/web/ertzaintza/ultimas-noticias/-/asset_publisher/HqAtdHx7jB7q/content/26_0771-el-departamento-de-seguridad-condena-los-altercados-que-se-est%25C3%25A1n-produciendo-a-estas-horas-en-bilbao
