Authorities in Alicante have granted the transfer of a 30-year-old man suspected of attempted murder to a secure temporary prison facility without bail. The case centers on an assault that left a 66-year-old man in a coma, following a forceful act last Monday on a public promenade. The victim sustained a skull fracture and other injuries, and is currently receiving intensive care at Alicante General Hospital in a critical condition.
The suspect, described as an Algerian immigrant who arrived in Spain by boat several months ago, denies responsibility for the assault and claims to have been visiting Alicante from Murcia. Eyewitnesses, however, have identified him to law enforcement with clear certainty.
A coroner on duty reviewed the case prior to the defendant’s appearance in Alicante court. While the initial assessment did not reveal changes that would affect imputability, the coroner ordered a follow-up evaluation due to the suspect’s psychiatric history. Reports indicate that during a police interview at the station, the detainee briefly admitted a prior incident involving police in Algeria, though no further details were provided.
The attack occurred around ten o’clock on the Esplanade. The National Police were alerted to an unconscious man and observed a victim bleeding from an ear and with a head wound as they arrived in Room 091 of the police station. Several bystanders testified that the suspect, after presenting his officer status, pushed the victim violently for no apparent reason, causing him to fall and strike his head on the pavement.
Investigators learned that the assailant had been involved in additional disturbances with other pedestrians earlier that day. In particular, an elderly couple was attacked at Levante Pier, an incident that had prompted Harbor Police to detain the suspect and notify the Municipal Police for identification. Patrol units and security staff at the nearby bus station have been mobilized to locate the suspect, and he was apprehended around four a.m. on Tuesday.
The same day, the suspect who attacked a person on a tram was also detained, based on information from police sources who indicated the individual has a history of mental health problems. This sequence of events prompted a sustained police operation aimed at stabilizing the area and ensuring the safety of pedestrians in the vicinity.
As investigations continue, authorities are concentrating on establishing a clear timeline of the events, corroborating eyewitness statements, and evaluating any contributing factors related to the subject’s psychiatric background. The case underscores ongoing concerns about public safety and the role of rapid police response in urban areas, where multiple incidents can unfold in a short span and involve vulnerable individuals who may be experiencing mental health crises. The involved agencies are coordinating to determine the full scope of the incidents, including any prior encounters with the suspect and the possible connections between the various disturbances reported on the same day. The outcome of the court proceedings and the next steps in the legal process will depend on the ongoing forensic and psychiatric assessments, as well as the accumulation of additional evidence from witnesses and medical professionals. (Source: Alicante Police and local judicial authorities)”