Police charge protesters and make one arrest at Vito Quiles rally in Pamplona

Rally moved under heavy police cover

Vito Quiles, an activist, had called an event for 18:00 on Thursday, 15 October, in Pamplona, initially at Plaza del Castillo. On the recommendation of the Government Delegation it was moved to Plaza Yamaguchi, so that it would not coincide with a rally called for the same afternoon. The National Police and the Foral Police sealed off the square from early afternoon, and several terraces there removed their tables and chairs. The event opened Quiles's tour of Spain under the message 'Mafia o patria'. Writing on X, he urged calm ahead of the event.

This afternoon's event is safe and we are going to hold it regardless of who objects.

Counter-protests and charges

Hundreds of people, called by unions, collectives and pensioners' and youth movements, gathered at Plaza del Castillo to reject the event, and that protest passed without incident, according to Europa Press. At Plaza Yamaguchi, counter-protesters carried a banner reading 'Faxista. Alde hemendik', and two of them entered the square and shouted slogans against Spain. eldiario.es described several hundred protesters there, including GKS members and antifascist activists. Tension grew until people from both gatherings squared up to each other. Police then charged the group protesting against Quiles, and protesters responded by throwing stones and bottles at officers. Around the Barañáin avenue roundabout, officers charged several times and used tear gas, while a group overturned rubbish containers and blocked traffic. LaSexta reported that dozens of officers formed a double police cordon and used rubber bullets. At least one person was detained.

Quiles's brief appearance

After the clashes, Quiles reached the square to cheers from his supporters at about 18:40, according to Europa Press. He stayed roughly ten minutes and then left, escorted, in a van, El Mundo reported. In his short speech he said:

Navarra is more Spanish than ever.

He also referred to the general election on 29 November, saying his side would send its opponents to the scrapheap of history.

1. Oct 15, 06:00 PMPlanned start of Quiles's event at Plaza Yamaguchi, moved from Plaza del Castillo
2. Oct 15, 06:40 PMQuiles arrives at Plaza Yamaguchi to cheers from about a hundred supporters
3. After about ten minutes on the squareQuiles leaves the square in a van

Earlier incidents in Pamplona

La Vanguardia linked the scenes to 30 October 2025, when a Quiles event near the University of Navarra, later called off, led to disorder that spread to the Iturrama neighbourhood. According to that report, several people were injured and numerous arrests followed. El Mundo noted that a similar episode had taken place a year earlier after another Quiles call in the Navarrese capital. eldiario.es said that, because of the previous year's disorder, police this time cordoned off the square with a large deployment.