Spanish court suspends far-right group over alleged hate crimes

A Spanish judge has suspended the activities of the ultra-right group Nucleo Nacional as part of an investigation into alleged hate crimes and illegal association. The court in the northern city of Gijon announced the ruling on Thursday, ordering the group’s office shut and its social media content and bank accounts blocked. The move follows the arrest last week of 14 of its members on suspicion of inciting hatred against vulnerable groups and people with opposing ideologies.

The decision comes ahead of Spain’s general election on November 29 and a day after the first nationwide general strike in 14 years. In a video posted on X, an unnamed Nucleo Nacional representative wearing a black shirt with the group’s logo said the movement was a victim of “persecution and political repression”. Nucleo Nacional describes itself as a political movement.

On its website, which has now been blocked and suspended by court order, it says it seeks a “national awakening”.