Formentera incident involves mixed martial arts professional and taxi altercation
A French-born Italian tourist and mixed martial arts professional, Alessio Di Chirico, who competes in the UFCA circuit for extreme athletes, faced arrest this Monday in Formentera. The Civil Guard charged a local taxi driver, Omar Bouhia, with counter aggression after an incident that unfolded on a taxi ride. The detainee remains in custody at the Civil Guard headquarters and is scheduled to appear in court the following day.
The family had called for a taxi from a restaurant where they dined with their wife and two children, planning to head to a hotel business. Among them was Pujols. At the start of the ride, the family asked the driver to accommodate four passengers in the back, but the driver refused due to traffic regulations. The father chose to sit in the front seat instead.
According to Omar’s family, the traveler verbally annoyed the taxi drivers along the route, insisting that the four passengers should not travel together in the back seats.
Upon arrival at the destination, the martial arts professional, after paying his fee, reportedly began throwing punches at the taxi driver without uttering a word, resulting in serious injuries to the right side of the driver’s face. Ib-Salut reported that the taxi driver, a 32-year-old man residing in Formentera, suffered facial trauma necessitating helicopter transport to a medical facility. Family sources described a cheekbone fracture and injuries near the right eye, where the glasses were embedded and broken by the assault. Some family members claimed that a woman seated behind attempted to separate the couple to prevent the attack on the driver.
The taxi license holder and the driver filed a complaint with the Civil Guard, who subsequently arrested the individual without resistance.
The incident captured on camera
The official report from the Civil Guard notes that a taxi driver was attacked by a customer after paying the fare early Monday morning in the town of es Pujols. Witnesses observed the assailant and confirmed the driver’s account. Medical services were alerted and the injured man was transported to a medical center. Investigators reviewed hotel exterior surveillance footage, which corroborated the events and the aggressive conduct by the extreme combat professional.
The alleged assailant, who was staying at the hotel where the incident occurred, was detained promptly without resistance.
The Formentera Taxi Drivers Association expressed full support for the driver while condemning the assault.
GxF condemnation
Omar Bouhia, a member of the GxF party from Formentera, issued a strongly worded statement. The party recalled that the worker was attacked while performing his duties and offered wishes for a swift recovery, while condemning the aggression. GxF also voiced concerns about the island’s image and safety, emphasizing a desire for residents and workers to enjoy a peaceful environment free from threats or intimidation. They affirmed a commitment to an island model that prioritizes harmony and environmental respect, insisting that those who live and work on Formentera deserve security and dignity. The message concluded with a call to reject violence and support the people of Formentera.
Sa Unió condemned
The Sa Unió coalition (PP-Compromís) joined in criticizing the act of violence against a resident performing his job. The group stressed that such actions are unacceptable and called for a rapid recovery for Omar Bouhia, while asking for the attacker to be tried and punished accordingly. They asserted that violence can never be excused or tolerated.