Masked protesters attack Spanish journalist during clashes with police

Berlin, November 3, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists urges Spanish authorities to swiftly identify and prosecute those responsible for the attack on reporter José Ismael Martínez while he was covering clashes between police and far-left protesters in Pamplona on October 30 2025.

A group of five or six hooded individuals surrounded Martínez as he was filming a large group of masked protesters on the the University of Navarra campus in Pamplona, in northern Spain. He was reporting for the online newspaper El Español. They first threw several objects at him, then cornered him, insulted him, and beat and kicked him while he was on the ground. Martínez, who was wearing a press ID, managed to reach nearby riot police. He was treated in the emergency room with eye injuries.

“Spanish authorities should conduct a swift and effective investigation into the assault on journalist José Ismael Martínez, identify and prosecute those responsible, and guarantee the safety of all reporters covering demonstrations,” said Attila Mong, CPJ’s Europe representative. “Public officials should unequivocally condemn the attack and the use of violence against journalists. Journalists in Spain must be able to carry out their work safely and without fear of retaliation.”

The protesters were far-left Basque sympathizers who had gathered at the University of Navarra to oppose a conference by far-right activists. The event had been canceled after police said they could not guarantee security. Despite the cancellation, protesters gathered and clashed with police, who arrested three people. 

CPJ emailed the prosecutor’s office in Pamplona for comment on the investigation but received no response.