Spanish military recordings allege migrant abuse in Ceuta

Audio recordings attributed to Spanish military personnel stationed in Ceuta have surfaced, allegedly capturing soldiers boasting about assaulting and humiliating migrants. The recordings, published by elDiario.es, involve at least three service members discussing incidents that occurred during night patrols on the nights of September 21 and 22.

In the conversations, soldiers are heard laughing while describing physical violence. One recording includes a comment that striking someone without gloves is ‘better because it makes a sound,’ while another notes that gloves make the impact more painful. The dialogues also detail methods used to lure migrants toward military vehicles under false pretenses before subjecting them to sudden physical attacks.

The Spanish Ministry of Defense has submitted these recordings to the courts and the prosecutor's office in Ceuta following reports of potential illegal conduct. Amnesty International has characterized the recorded behavior not as self-defense, but as ‘interventions intended to punish, aiming to humiliate migrants,’ suggesting the actions may constitute torture or inhuman and degrading treatment. The organization has formally requested information from the Spanish government regarding the scope of any ongoing inspections or disciplinary actions.