The Barcelona Provincial Court has upheld a combined €4,000 fine against two young people for throwing paint-filled balloons at a Vox political stand in Plaça Maragall on 24th February 2024. The ruling, confirmed on Wednesday 28th October 2026, upholds their conviction for coercion but revokes an earlier order requiring them to pay compensation for moral damages.

According to the judgment from the seventh section of the Barcelona Provincial Court, the attack constituted a 'coercion or limitation' of Vox's constitutional right to freedom of expression, exceeding the boundaries of legitimate protest. The incident occurred when a group, including the two defendants, hurled between five and six blue paint balloons at the party's information stand while shouting insults such as 'fuera fascistas'.

The paint balloons struck the pavement, three motorcycles parked behind the stand, and damaged personal belongings, the court confirmed. Prosecutors had argued the act carried an aggravating factor due to ideological discrimination, citing the verbal abuse directed at the party members and supporters.

Compensation for Moral Damages Revoked

The court overturned the initial requirement for the two individuals to pay €1,000 each in compensation to the seven affected Vox members, amounting to a total of €7,000. The ruling stated there was no 'individual and independent moral harm' or significant consequence beyond the temporary restriction of constitutional freedoms during the incident.

The facts do not describe individual moral harm or significant consequences beyond the violent episode judged.

The final fines were set at €4,320 for one defendant and €3,960 for the other, according to El Nacional.cat, which reviewed the full judgment. The prosecution had originally sought a €10,800 fine per person and compensation for damaged clothing, which included an additional €340 claim.

The conviction rests on Article 169 of Spain's Penal Code covering coercion, with the court determining that the act unlawfully restricted the democratic rights of the Vox members. The appellate decision confirms the lower court's finding but narrows the financial liability by removing the moral damages component.

The incident took place in Barcelona's Horta-Guinardó district and became part of a broader debate on political protest limits and freedom of expression. The court emphasized that while dissent is protected, actions that directly interfere with constitutional rights cross into criminal conduct.

Sources: La Razón Cataluña, El Nacional.