Fact Check: Users in Telegram groups are organizing to hunt and assault immigrants in Spain.

Fact Check: "Users in Telegram groups are organizing to hunt and assault immigrants in Spain."

What We Know

Recent reports indicate that far-right groups in Spain, particularly one named "Deport Them Now," have been using the messaging platform Telegram to organize violent actions against immigrants. Following an incident where a local man was assaulted, these groups began inciting their followers to "hunt" down immigrants, particularly those of North African descent, in the town of Torre Pacheco, Murcia. The situation escalated into violent clashes, leading to multiple arrests and significant unrest in the area (source-1, source-3).

In Telegram groups, users have openly discussed plans to assault immigrants, with messages such as "Let’s go hunting" and "death to these sons-of-bitches now" being reported (source-3). The police have since arrested several individuals linked to these groups, and Telegram has attempted to limit access to channels inciting violence (source-1, source-8).

Analysis

The claim that users in Telegram groups are organizing to hunt and assault immigrants in Spain is substantiated by multiple credible sources. Reports from major news outlets like The New York Times and El País detail how the group "Deport Them Now" has been actively encouraging violence against immigrants through Telegram, with specific calls for action and organized gatherings to target these individuals (source-1, source-3).

The reliability of these sources is high, as they are established news organizations with a history of accurate reporting. The information is corroborated by police statements and government responses to the violence, indicating a serious and organized effort by these groups to incite violence against immigrants (source-2, source-6).

However, it is important to note that while the Telegram chats contain violent rhetoric, the actual execution of these plans may vary, and the extent of violence can be influenced by law enforcement interventions (source-5).

Conclusion

The claim that users in Telegram groups are organizing to hunt and assault immigrants in Spain is True. The evidence presented from multiple reliable sources confirms that far-right groups are actively using Telegram to incite violence against immigrants, leading to significant unrest and police action in the affected areas.

Fact Check: Users in Telegram groups are organizing to hunt and assault immigrants in Spain.