A report from the Bilbao Municipal Police has revealed that nearly half of the arrests made in the city are of North African origin, sparking an intense political and judicial debate.
According to the report, 53.3% of those arrested are of North African origin, specifically 28.6% Moroccan and 24.9% Algerian, compared to 25.6% native-born individuals. These figures align with the general statistics on detainees in Euskadi released by the Department of Security.
The publication of these figures has caused friction among Basque institutions, including the Basque Government, led by Lehendakari Imanol Pradales and Security Councillor Bingen Zupiria, and the city councils of Bilbao, headed by Mayor Juan Mari Aburto, and Barakaldo, led by Mayor Amaia del Campo. These municipalities are all part of the same political party, the PNV, with PSE support in local governments.
From a judicial standpoint, the president of the High Court of Justice of the Basque Country, Iñaki Subijana, has spoken out against the decision, believing it poses "more risks of stigmatization than advantages." Conversely, the dean judge of Barakaldo, Sylvia Martín Blanco, views communicating the detainees' origin as "an exercise in transparency" to which "society has a right."
The police study also focuses on the phenomenon of recidivism. Out of the 1,525 individuals arrested in Bilbao in 2025, 275 had prior offenses, while it was the first time for 1,250. North Africans lead this unfortunate ranking, accounting for 64.25% of repeat offenders.
Regarding criminal typologies, property crimes are the most common, followed by judicial claims, petty theft, and robbery with violence or intimidation. Arrests for crimes against public health, attacks or serious disobedience, and gender violence cases are also significant.
