Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Animal rights activists who celebrate death of matador could face jail

Bullfighting organisation teams up with legal firm to defend memory of Victor Burrio

Elsa Vulliamy
Tuesday 12 July 2016 22:40 BST
Comments
Spanish bullfighter gored to death

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A Spanish pro-bullfighting organisation has threatened legal action against animal rights activists who celebrate the death of 29-year-old bullfighter Victor Barrio on social media.

A professional matador, Mr Barrio was attacked by a half-tonne bull while in the ring, in scenes broadcast live on Spanish television. He was pronounced dead in hospital.

Hundreds of people joined Mr Barrio’s family and friends at his funeral, showing support for the matador, but many animal rights activists have taken to social media to express the opinion that Mr Barrio deserved to die.

Though many are likely to see these posts as harmless, anyone seen to be insulting the matador's reputation could face a 14-month prison sentence, a Spanish bullfighting group has announced.

Teaming up with law firm Cremades & Calvo-Sotelo, the Bullfighting Foundation (Fundacion Toro de Lidia) issued a statement outlining plans to take legal action against anyone who publically insults Mr Barrio’s memory, or his friends and family.

The Foundation would pursue criminal cases for "injuries against the person", which can result in a prison sentence of up to 14 months.

Lawyer Jose Miguel Soriano has said analysis of the facts shows “this is not a restriction of freedom of expression”, but simply what is required in order to enforce the law.

Public authorities and state security are working with the Foundation to identify those responsible for hateful or insulting messages.

The Foundation also called for social networking sites to enforce their already existing terms of use and community guidelines to prevent users – or the companies themselves - getting involved in any serious criminal cases.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in