PRESS RELEASE – DEFEND INTERNATIONAL
Spain: DI Condemns Barcelona Terror Attack
Madrid-Oslo, August 18, 2017- Defend International condemns the Barcelona terror attack that left at least 13 people dead and 80 more injured.
The attack took place near Catalunya Square in Barcelona’s Las Ramblas district, where a white van ploughed into pedestrians on the afternoon of August 17th. The Catalan authorities have detained two individuals and are treating the incident as an act of terror. A three-year-old child has been reported to be among the victims and 15 people are said to be in a critical condition.
“Defend International offers condolences to the grieving families mourning their loss,” declared Dr. Widad Akreyi, Defend International co-founder. “Our thoughts are with all those affected. We extend our full solidarity with the citizens of Spain. Our values were under attack again in Barcelona. We can’t allow terror to become the norm. We will stand united, we will defend our values, we will not be divided.”
According to reports from Barcelona, a suspect had allegedly run people over before fleeing into a nearby Turkish restaurant. ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack through its Amaq news agency.
Defend International called it an attack on the principles and values that have shaped our communities. Contrary to the attackers’ plan, the attack will reinforce our resolve to guard against all forms of hatred and extremism.
Las Ramblas is the main pedestrian walk way, a popular tourist area in Spain’s second-largest city. The wounded and murdered were from 24 different countries. Spain has been the target of several attacks in the past, including the Madrid’s commuter rail system attack, in which 10 bombs in backpacks and other small bags exploded nearly simultaneously inside trains at four locations on the morning of March 11th, 2004, killing 192 people and injuring about two thousand.
Defend International is an NGO which has as its main objective the promotion and protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms.
+++
For more information, please contact:
media@defendinternational.org
Photo: Current official flag of Barcelona