Basque High Court upholds jail term for Real Sociedad fan who attacked police | OneFootball

The Basque High Court has upheld a prison sentence of three years and 11 months for a Real Sociedad supporter who hurled stones at Ertzaintza officers before a 2022 match against Deportivo Alavés at Anoeta.

According to Diario Vasco, the Civil and Criminal Chamber confirmed the ruling on 11 September. The clashes occurred on 13 March 2022 ahead of the 18.30 kick-off, during a policing operation to control and filter fans.

At around 17.30 some fans lit flares, then a group threw glass bottles and cups, paving stones, chairs and other street furniture from nearby premises at officers. Police were struck and suffered injuries. Among the group, the defendant picked up cement paving stones and threw them with the aim of undermining the officers’ authority.

Gipuzkoa Provincial Court had imposed 11 months for public disorder and one year and six months for each of two counts of assaulting police. The High Court also confirmed fines of four months at six euros per day for less serious injury, and one month at six euros per day for each of two minor injuries.

He must pay compensation of 600 euros to one officer, 480 euros to another and 40 euros to a third, and bear costs. He has deposited 1,120 euros with the court. A cassation appeal may be filed with the Supreme Court.

At his February hearing, the young man admitted breaking a paving stone then throwing two or three stones in Amara’s Ferrerías square, blaming alcohol and the heat of the moment, expressing full remorse and apologising. He said he threw from distance and did not think he hit anyone, had no prior incidents and did not belong to any supporters’ group. A second defendant, a Catalan student in Vitoria who travelled with two Alavés friends, was acquitted, he denied taking part, though he accepted insulting officers and said he sheltered in a bar until the disturbance ended.

Source: Diario Vasco

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