Councillor summoned for alleged hate speech and data breach
Aitor Navarro Hornas, a Vox councillor in Santa Coloma de Gramenet, is due to appear before a judge on 11 November 2026 after being formally investigated for alleged hate speech and revealing personal data of social housing beneficiaries. The judicial summons follows the admission of a criminal complaint filed by six local social organisations: SOS Racisme Catalunya, Centre d'Acollida de Santa Coloma, Ca la Sisqueta Gramenet, Espai Gramenet, Papers i Drets per Tothom, and Ningú Sense Llar Gramenet. The complaint, which has been accepted for processing by a judge, accuses Navarro of inciting racial hatred and xenophobia through public statements and social media posts. It alleges he disclosed the full names of up to 61 individuals who received public subsidies, including unaccompanied minors, by reading them aloud during livestreams and sharing them online. The organisations claim this data was obtained without authorisation from the city council and used to target people based on their perceived origin.
Messages linked to far-right narratives
According to the complaint, Navarro posted content warning residents to "exercise extreme caution" in areas where migrants in an "irregular administrative situation" were allegedly being distributed, using the slogan: "Exercise extreme caution in this area! Popular Party and Socialist Party are distributing illegals here." These messages, the plaintiffs say, falsely equate immigration with insecurity. The organisations also cite a speech during a municipal plenary session in which Navarro referred to unaccompanied foreign minors as "people of military age" rather than children. They argue that such rhetoric dehumanises vulnerable groups and undermines social cohesion in a town with a long history of migration.
The dehumanization and constant criminalization of migrants is a tactic used by far-right parties to divide the working class,
the groups stated, adding that Santa Coloma remains a welcoming city where tolerance prevails despite such discourse.
Case builds amid broader concerns
The legal action is supported by evidence including screenshots of social media posts and recordings of public appearances. Navarro is under investigation for two criminal offences: incitement to hatred under Spain's hate crime laws and unlawful disclosure of personal data protected under data privacy regulations. The city council has not suspended Navarro from his duties. His appearance before the court on 11 November will mark a key stage in the judicial process. If convicted, he could face disqualification from public office and fines. Residents can report hate incidents via the Guia d'acollida, the municipal welcome and integration service.
Reported by elperiodico.com, gramenet.cat, eldiario.es, El Periódico Barcelona.
