Justice (photo of illustration) - LOIC VENANCE / AFP

The mayor of a city of 200,000 inhabitants in Spain resigned on Wednesday after being arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and assault on an official, on full alert and strict confinement of the country due to the epidemic of coronavirus. "Alex Pastor is resigning from his post as mayor," said Badalone town hall, a Catalan coastal town near Barcelona in northeast Spain.

The representative of the city had been excluded this Tuesday from the Socialist Party of the head of government Pedro Sanchez, after the publication of press information indicating that he had been arrested in Barcelona and had refused to undergo a blood alcohol test. According to this information, the town councilor had beaten and bitten an agent.

He was kept at large

"Everything that has been published is correct, we have been able to verify it," said Badalone socialist councilor Rubén Guijarro, without giving further details. The mayor had to appear before a judge who indicted him, while keeping him at large.

The coronavirus epidemic has killed more than 21,000 people in Spain. Very strict confinement of the population has been imposed there since March 14 and must be extended until May 9 inclusive. Spaniards can only go out to work - if they cannot do it from home -, refuel, shop in pharmacies or walk a dog. Prevented from going out until now, children will be allowed for the first time, as of this Sunday, to take limited walks.

World

Coronavirus: Taxi driver travels 1,500 kilometers for free to bring a student back to Italy

World

Coronavirus LIVE: More than 22,000 deaths in Spain, another slight increase in 24 hours ...

  • World
  • Mayor
  • Spain
  • Alcohol
  • Barcelona
  • Charged