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The Spanish police said on Thursday they arrested 43 people- suspected to be part of a criminal group that has exploited undocumented migrant workers in the agricultural sector. Most of these migrant workers are from Morocco.&nbsp;

Issuing a statement, the police said officers made these arrests in the southern province of Malaga, adding the group charged migrant workers up to $3,200 (3,000 euros) for fake work contracts to allow them to regularise their status, news agency AFP reported.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-2022-more-than-45000-migrants-cross-english-channel-to-reach-uk-from-europe-548536">In 2022, more than 45,000 migrants crossed English Channel to reach UK from Europe</a>

The police said some of these workers were living in inhumane conditions in houses that belonged to the criminal group. The police added at least seven agricultural companies were believed to have taken part in the scheme dedicated to the labour exploitation of Moroccan nationals.&nbsp;

For years, Spain has been a key getaway into Europe for illegal migration from Africa and about 800,000 Moroccans legally live in Spain.&nbsp;

According to figures issued by the interior ministry on Tuesday, as many as 31,219 people entered Spain without permission last year, compared to 41,945 in 2021. The ministry credited "cooperation with countries of origin and transit" of migrants, and the reinforcement of the fight "against mafias that traffic people" for the fall in illegal migrations.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-blow-to-spains-meat-industry-man-accused-of-sexual-advances-acquitted-report-545671"> In blow to Spain's meat industry, man accused of sexual advances acquitted: Report</a>

On December 30 last year, the bodies of 13 Moroccans were recovered after their boat sank off the country's southern coast while attempting to reach the Canary Islands in Spain. The boat, which had 45 passengers on board, was attempting to reach the Canary Islands' main city of Las Palmas when it hit a rock and sank 10 minutes after embarking near Mirleft town, AFP reported citing local media. About 24 passengers were rescued from the water. The deceased included one woman, and eight passengers remained unaccounted for.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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The Spanish police said on Thursday they arrested 43 people- suspected to be part of a criminal group that has exploited undocumented migrant workers in the agricultural sector.

The Spanish police said on Thursday they arrested 43 people- suspected to be part of a criminal group that has exploited undocumented migrant workers in the agricultural sector. Most of these migrant workers are from Morocco. Issuing a statement, the police said officers made these arrests in the southern province of Malaga, adding the group charged migrant workers up to $3,200 (3,000 euros) for fake work contracts to allow them to regularise their status, news agency AFP reported. ALSO READ | In 2022, more than 45,000 migrants crossed English Channel to reach UK from Europe The police said some of these workers were living in inhumane conditions in houses that belonged to the criminal group. The police added at least seven agricultural companies were believed to have taken part in the scheme dedicated to the labour exploitation of Moroccan nationals. For years, Spain has been a key getaway into Europe for illegal migration from Africa and about 800,000 Moroccans legally live in Spain. According to figures issued by the interior ministry on Tuesday, as many as 31,219 people entered Spain without permission last year, compared to 41,945 in 2021. The ministry credited "cooperation with countries of origin and transit" of migrants, and the reinforcement of the fight "against mafias that traffic people" for the fall in illegal migrations. ALSO READ | In blow to Spain's meat industry, man accused of sexual advances acquitted: Report On December 30 last year, the bodies of 13 Moroccans were recovered after their boat sank off the country's southern coast while attempting to reach the Canary Islands in Spain. The boat, which had 45 passengers on board, was attempting to reach the Canary Islands' main city of Las Palmas when it hit a rock and sank 10 minutes after embarking near Mirleft town, AFP reported citing local media. About 24 passengers were rescued from the water. The deceased included one woman, and eight passengers remained unaccounted for. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Spain: 43 arrested for exploiting undocumented migrant workers

A Spanish police offer who posted a misleading video clip suggestive of a sexual assault in July 2019, has been sentenced to 15 months in prison and told to pay a fine of €1,620 ($1627). A court in Barcelona on Tuesday convicted a Guardia Civil officer for an offence against fundamental rights and public freedoms while pointing out that he stirred up hatred against migrant children living in Spain.

According to Spanish law, custodial sentences of less than two years are not served by first-time offenders. The defendant&nbsp;police officer will thereby avoid his time in prison. The court ordered him to undertake a human rights and anti-discrimination course and to refrain from posting defamatory comments on social media.

What was the case all about?

In July 2019, a few days after a woman was allegedly raped by two migrant minors living in a reception centre, the Guardia Civil officer posted a video on his Twitter account that he said showed a young Moroccan migrant raping a woman in Canet de Mar, a town near Barcelona. The video was watched almost 21,000 times.

The video, however, was from China, and showed a woman being beaten and sexually assaulted.

“Here’s a video of the Moroccan mena (a derogatory term for unaccompanied minors) in Canet de Mar, one of the ones who we will end up paying for until he’s 23,” read the post. The officer also wrote that the attack by “lunatics and packs of Moroccans” were being ignored by the media.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spain-says-deadly-migrant-rush-attack-on-its-territory-491916">Spain says deadly migrant rush 'attack' on its territory</a>

Prosecutors claimed that the defendant’s account was full of racist and xenophobic material. They had initially sought a two-year sentence.

“Driven by his animosity towards, and rejection of, foreign immigrants of Moroccan origin, he published a tweet and a video showing an apparent rape committed by two minors in an effort to smear them by associating them in a general manner with violent acts and sexual assaults,” the Barcelona court said while handing over the quantum of sentence to the defendant.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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A Spanish police offer who posted a misleading video clip suggestive of a sexual assault in July 2019, has been sentenced to 15 months in prison and told to pay a fine of €1,620 ($1627).

A Spanish police offer who posted a misleading video clip suggestive of a sexual assault in July 2019, has been sentenced to 15 months in prison and told to pay a fine of €1,620 ($1627). A court in Barcelona on Tuesday convicted a Guardia Civil officer for an offence against fundamental rights and public freedoms while pointing out that he stirred up hatred against migrant children living in Spain. According to Spanish law, custodial sentences of less than two years are not served by first-time offenders. The defendant police officer will thereby avoid his time in prison. The court ordered him to undertake a human rights and anti-discrimination course and to refrain from posting defamatory comments on social media. What was the case all about? In July 2019, a few days after a woman was allegedly raped by two migrant minors living in a reception centre, the Guardia Civil officer posted a video on his Twitter account that he said showed a young Moroccan migrant raping a woman in Canet de Mar, a town near Barcelona. The video was watched almost 21,000 times. The video, however, was from China, and showed a woman being beaten and sexually assaulted. “Here’s a video of the Moroccan mena (a derogatory term for unaccompanied minors) in Canet de Mar, one of the ones who we will end up paying for until he’s 23,” read the post. The officer also wrote that the attack by “lunatics and packs of Moroccans” were being ignored by the media. ALSO READ | Spain says deadly migrant rush 'attack' on its territory Prosecutors claimed that the defendant’s account was full of racist and xenophobic material. They had initially sought a two-year sentence. “Driven by his animosity towards, and rejection of, foreign immigrants of Moroccan origin, he published a tweet and a video showing an apparent rape committed by two minors in an effort to smear them by associating them in a general manner with violent acts and sexual assaults,” the Barcelona court said while handing over the quantum of sentence to the defendant. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Spanish policeman sentenced to 15 months in prison for posting misleading rape video on Twitter

Save&nbsp;the&nbsp;Children&nbsp;on Saturday urged&nbsp;Spain&nbsp;to halt the&nbsp;repatriation&nbsp;to Morocco of hundreds of unaccompanied&nbsp;minors&nbsp;who were among thousands of migrants who crossed into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta three months ago.

The international NGO accused Madrid of failing to protect the rights of the&nbsp;children.

Up to 10,000 migrants flooded across the border in North Africa into Ceuta&nbsp;over&nbsp;several days in May as Moroccan border guards stood aside.

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This was widely seen as retaliation for&nbsp;Spain's decision to host Brahim Ghali, leader of the Polisario Front, which has for decades fought Morocco for the independence of Western Sahara, for medical treatment.

Spain&nbsp;on Friday began sending back more than 700 unaccompanied&nbsp;minors&nbsp;to Morocco.

"Repatriations from Ceuta continue today,"&nbsp;Save&nbsp;the&nbsp;Children&nbsp;posted on Twitter Saturday.

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Hoy continúan las repatriaciomes desde Ceuta. Estamos viendo como sacan a niños desde el pabellón deportivo de Santa Amelia para llevarlos a Marruecos. Pedimos el cese de estas reagrupaciones, España no está garantizando la protección de los menores. <a href="https://t.co/SSuBZH5IqP">pic.twitter.com/SSuBZH5IqP</a>
— Save the Children Es (@SaveChildrenEs) <a href="https://twitter.com/SaveChildrenEs/status/1426458830897045506?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 14, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The NGO called "for an end" to these. "Spain&nbsp;is not guaranteeing the protection of&nbsp;minors," it said.

The interior ministry has not officially announced the repatriations and was not immediately available when contacted by AFP.

Ione Belarra, leader of the far-left Podemos, the junior member of&nbsp;Spain's ruling coalition, also criticised the transfers in a letter to Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spain-opens-migrant-camps-in-the-canaries-expecting-fresh-influx-359667">Spain opens migrant camps in the Canaries expecting fresh influx</a>

"We have been informed by&nbsp;children's organisations on the ground that the&nbsp;repatriation&nbsp;of&nbsp;minors&nbsp;has begun," she wrote in the letter published in online daily El Confidencial.

She said that the operation might be taking place "without strict observance" of various Spanish and international laws.

Save the Children on Saturday urged Spain to halt the repatriation to Morocco of hundreds of unaccompanied minors who were among thousands of migrants who crossed into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta three months ago.

Save the Children on Saturday urged Spain to halt the repatriation to Morocco of hundreds of unaccompanied minors who were among thousands of migrants who crossed into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta three months ago. The international NGO accused Madrid of failing to protect the rights of the children. Up to 10,000 migrants flooded across the border in North Africa into Ceuta over several days in May as Moroccan border guards stood aside. Also read | Three die, dozens rescued as migrant boat capsizes off Spain's Tenerife This was widely seen as retaliation for Spain's decision to host Brahim Ghali, leader of the Polisario Front, which has for decades fought Morocco for the independence of Western Sahara, for medical treatment. Spain on Friday began sending back more than 700 unaccompanied minors to Morocco. "Repatriations from Ceuta continue today," Save the Children posted on Twitter Saturday. Hoy continúan las repatriaciomes desde Ceuta. Estamos viendo como sacan a niños desde el pabellón deportivo de Santa Amelia para llevarlos a Marruecos. Pedimos el cese de estas reagrupaciones, España no está garantizando la protección de los menores. pic.twitter.com/SSuBZH5IqP — Save the Children Es (@SaveChildrenEs) August 14, 2021 × The NGO called "for an end" to these. "Spain is not guaranteeing the protection of minors," it said. The interior ministry has not officially announced the repatriations and was not immediately available when contacted by AFP. Ione Belarra, leader of the far-left Podemos, the junior member of Spain's ruling coalition, also criticised the transfers in a letter to Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska. Also read | Spain opens migrant camps in the Canaries expecting fresh influx "We have been informed by children's organisations on the ground that the repatriation of minors has begun," she wrote in the letter published in online daily El Confidencial. She said that the operation might be taking place "without strict observance" of various Spanish and international laws.

Save the Children slams Spain over repatriation of minors

More than 230 migrants crossed the Moroccan border into Spain's&nbsp;Melilla&nbsp;enclave before dawn on Thursday, in one of the largest influxes into this tiny North African territory in recent years.

The incident occurred two months after an unprecedented 10,000 people surged into Spain's other enclave of Ceuta, exacerbating a diplomatic crisis between Madrid and Rabat.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lack-of-respect-spanish-pm-pedro-sanchez-slams-morocco-over-migrant-crisis-386352">'Lack of respect': Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez slams Morocco over migrant crisis</a>

In a statement, the Spanish government delegation in&nbsp;Melilla&nbsp;said: "a huge influx" of more than 300 migrants had tried to cross the frontier at 6:50 am with 238 of them successfully scaling the fence, all of them men.&nbsp;

It said they used "hooks" to scale the frontier which they managed to do despite the fact the border fence was equipped with "anti-intrusion" measures, without specifying what they were.

Three Guardia Civil police officers suffered "slight injuries" from the hooks used by those crossing the fence, it said.&nbsp;The migrants were taken to a reception centre where they will be quarantined in line with anti-Covid safety procedures.&nbsp;

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Since mid-May, hundreds of migrants have tried to rush the Moroccan border fence into&nbsp;Melilla, with nearly 300 of them making it across.&nbsp;

Thursday's incident raised that number to more than 500 in just over two months.

Where Europe meets Africa&nbsp;

Spain's two tiny enclaves of Ceuta and&nbsp;Melilla&nbsp;have Europe's only land border with Africa, making them a magnet for migrants desperate to escape grinding poverty and hunger.

Over the years, thousands of migrants have attempted to cross the 12-kilometre (7.5-mile) border between&nbsp;Melilla&nbsp;and Morocco, or Ceuta's eight-kilometre border, by climbing the fences, swimming along the coast or hiding in vehicles.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spain-opens-migrant-camps-in-the-canaries-expecting-fresh-influx-359667">Spain opens migrant camps in the Canaries expecting fresh influx</a>

The two territories are protected by fences fortified with barbed wire, video cameras and watchtowers.

Claimed by Morocco, the two cities have long been a flashpoint in diplomatic relations between Rabat and Madrid, which insists both are integral parts of Spain.

In mid-May, Spain was caught off guard when more than 10,000 people swam or used small inflatable boats to cross into Ceuta territory as the Moroccan border forces looked the other way.

Although most were quickly sent back, there were still more than 2,000 left inside the enclave, among them 1,185 unaccompanied minors, a spokesman for the government delegation in Ceuta told AFP on Thursday.&nbsp;

The influx took place during a diplomatic crisis between Madrid and Rabat over Western Sahara, which has long pushed for independence from Morocco.

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Madrid had angered Morocco by allowing the leader of&nbsp;Western Sahara's independence movement into Spain for hospital treatment for a severe case of Covid-19, sparking a tetchy standoff between the two countries.&nbsp;

The unprecedented border breach was widely seen as a punitive move by Rabat.&nbsp;

Although Polisario Front leader Brahim Ghali left Spain on June 2, diplomatic relations have remained tense.

More than 230 migrants crossed the Moroccan border into Spain's Melilla enclave before dawn on Thursday, in one of the largest influxes into this tiny North African territory in recent years.

More than 230 migrants crossed the Moroccan border into Spain's Melilla enclave before dawn on Thursday, in one of the largest influxes into this tiny North African territory in recent years. The incident occurred two months after an unprecedented 10,000 people surged into Spain's other enclave of Ceuta, exacerbating a diplomatic crisis between Madrid and Rabat. Also read | 'Lack of respect': Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez slams Morocco over migrant crisis In a statement, the Spanish government delegation in Melilla said: "a huge influx" of more than 300 migrants had tried to cross the frontier at 6:50 am with 238 of them successfully scaling the fence, all of them men. It said they used "hooks" to scale the frontier which they managed to do despite the fact the border fence was equipped with "anti-intrusion" measures, without specifying what they were. Three Guardia Civil police officers suffered "slight injuries" from the hooks used by those crossing the fence, it said. The migrants were taken to a reception centre where they will be quarantined in line with anti-Covid safety procedures. Since mid-May, hundreds of migrants have tried to rush the Moroccan border fence into Melilla, with nearly 300 of them making it across. Thursday's incident raised that number to more than 500 in just over two months. Where Europe meets Africa Spain's two tiny enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla have Europe's only land border with Africa, making them a magnet for migrants desperate to escape grinding poverty and hunger. Over the years, thousands of migrants have attempted to cross the 12-kilometre (7.5-mile) border between Melilla and Morocco, or Ceuta's eight-kilometre border, by climbing the fences, swimming along the coast or hiding in vehicles. Also read | Spain opens migrant camps in the Canaries expecting fresh influx The two territories are protected by fences fortified with barbed wire, video cameras and watchtowers. Claimed by Morocco, the two cities have long been a flashpoint in diplomatic relations between Rabat and Madrid, which insists both are integral parts of Spain. In mid-May, Spain was caught off guard when more than 10,000 people swam or used small inflatable boats to cross into Ceuta territory as the Moroccan border forces looked the other way. Although most were quickly sent back, there were still more than 2,000 left inside the enclave, among them 1,185 unaccompanied minors, a spokesman for the government delegation in Ceuta told AFP on Thursday. The influx took place during a diplomatic crisis between Madrid and Rabat over Western Sahara, which has long pushed for independence from Morocco. Madrid had angered Morocco by allowing the leader of Western Sahara's independence movement into Spain for hospital treatment for a severe case of Covid-19, sparking a tetchy standoff between the two countries. The unprecedented border breach was widely seen as a punitive move by Rabat. Although Polisario Front leader Brahim Ghali left Spain on June 2, diplomatic relations have remained tense.

Over 230 migrants enter Spain's Melilla enclave after scaling the fence

At least 800 sub-Saharan African migrants tried to cross into Spain&#39;s North African enclave of Ceuta from Morocco on Sunday by storming a border fence, though most were eventually turned back, the Spanish and Moroccan governments said.

Dozens of migrants made it to the top of the six-metre barbed wire fence early on Sunday before cranes brought them down&nbsp;to the ground, footage from local TV station Faro TV showed.

Spain said about 1,100 migrants attempted the crossing. Only two were allowed into Ceuta to be taken to hospital while the rest were returned to Morocco, the Spanish government said in a statement.

Five Spanish police and 50 from Morocco were injured, the government added, after migrants used rocks and metal bars to try and break through gates to access the fence and clashed with authorities.

Morocco&#39;s interior ministry reported that some 800 migrants had tried to storm the enclave, and that all had been arrested. It said 10 members of its security forces were seriously wounded.

&quot;From now on those making such attempts will be presented before the competent judicial authorities who will decree their expulsion from the kingdom (of Morocco) or heavier penalties, according the gravity of the act,&quot; the ministry said in a statement.

Spain&#39;s two enclaves in Morocco, Ceuta and Melilla, are often used as entry points into Europe for African migrants, who either climb over their border fences or try to swim along the coast.

Spain has drawn criticism from human rights groups for allowing some migrants to be immediately turned back to Morocco in such incidents. They argue that skipping the lengthier deportation procedures deprives people of the opportunity to claim asylum.

In early December more than 400 sub-Saharan African migrants managed to force their way over the Ceuta border fence.

However, Libya has become a more common departure point for African migrants, most of whom come from sub-Saharan countries and attempt the crossing to Italy by boat.

2016 was the deadliest year ever for migrants in the Mediterranean, with almost 5,000 deaths, according to the International Organization for Migration.

Separately on Sunday, Spanish police said a Moroccan woman was arrested in Ceuta last week for trying to smuggle a 19-year-old migrant from Gabon across the border with Spain curled up inside a suitcase.

(Reuters)

Dozens made it to the top of a six-metre barbed wire fence before being lifted down by cranes

At least 800 sub-Saharan African migrants tried to cross into Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta from Morocco on Sunday by storming a border fence, though most were eventually turned back, the Spanish and Moroccan governments said. Dozens of migrants made it to the top of the six-metre barbed wire fence early on Sunday before cranes brought them down to the ground, footage from local TV station Faro TV showed. Spain said about 1,100 migrants attempted the crossing. Only two were allowed into Ceuta to be taken to hospital while the rest were returned to Morocco, the Spanish government said in a statement. Five Spanish police and 50 from Morocco were injured, the government added, after migrants used rocks and metal bars to try and break through gates to access the fence and clashed with authorities. Morocco's interior ministry reported that some 800 migrants had tried to storm the enclave, and that all had been arrested. It said 10 members of its security forces were seriously wounded. "From now on those making such attempts will be presented before the competent judicial authorities who will decree their expulsion from the kingdom (of Morocco) or heavier penalties, according the gravity of the act," the ministry said in a statement. Spain's two enclaves in Morocco, Ceuta and Melilla, are often used as entry points into Europe for African migrants, who either climb over their border fences or try to swim along the coast. Spain has drawn criticism from human rights groups for allowing some migrants to be immediately turned back to Morocco in such incidents. They argue that skipping the lengthier deportation procedures deprives people of the opportunity to claim asylum. In early December more than 400 sub-Saharan African migrants managed to force their way over the Ceuta border fence. However, Libya has become a more common departure point for African migrants, most of whom come from sub-Saharan countries and attempt the crossing to Italy by boat. 2016 was the deadliest year ever for migrants in the Mediterranean, with almost 5,000 deaths, according to the International Organization for Migration. Separately on Sunday, Spanish police said a Moroccan woman was arrested in Ceuta last week for trying to smuggle a 19-year-old migrant from Gabon across the border with Spain curled up inside a suitcase. (Reuters)

Hundreds of migrants in Morocco try to storm border in Spain

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