Assassination of Guillem Agulló

Sticker of Maulets, the anti-fascist organization to which Agulló belonged, showing the popular slogan "Guillem Agulló, ni oblit, ni perdó".

Guillem Agulló i Salvador (1974 in Burjassot, Valencia – 11 April 1993 in Montanejos, Castellón) was a Valencian anti-fascist and independence activist who was assassinated on 11 April 1993, by the neo-Nazi Pedro Cuevas, in Montanejos. Agulló was a member of the leftist and independence organization Maulets and of Skinheads Against Racial Prejudice (SHARP). His assassination, along with the assassination of Carlos Palomino [es], is a very famous case in Spain, where Agulló has become a symbol of anti-fascism and anti-racism. The slogan "Guillem Agulló, ni oblit, ni perdó" (Catalan for 'Guillem Agulló, not forgotten, no forgiveness') has become a popular anti-fascist slogan.

Attack

On the morning of 11 April 1993, Guillem Agulló was in Montanejos, when they were attacked by a group of young fascists shouting "Sieg Heil" and "Viva España"[1] and one of them stabbed him in the heart, causing his death. The attackers left singing the Spanish fascist anthem "Cara al Sol".[2] The assassination was perpetrated by the fascist group "Komando Marchalenes IV Reich", named in honor of the Nazi regime, which was composed of Pedro Cuevas (the material perpetrator of the assassination), Gerardo Mora, Juan Manuel Sánchez, José Cuñat, and Francisco Garcia.

Family members and left-wing and pro-independence organizations denounced that the motive for the crime had been political, since the young people who intervened in the murder were known for their Spanish and fascist ideology and that they also knew of the anti-fascist ideology of Agulló.[3]

Trial

The only condemned person was Cuevas, who was condemned to 14 years in prison. The other members were dismissed.[4] Cuevas left prison 4 years after for "good conduct".[5]

After the trial

In 2005, Cuevas was arrested during "Operación Panzer" for being a member of the neo-nazism group Frente Antisistema (FAS).[6] The Guardia Civil found 40 bracelets with Nazi swastikas, one knife with Nazi symbols, and brass knuckles.

In 2007, Pedro Cuevas was a candidate for the municipal elections for Alianza Nacional (a far-right party) in Chiva, where he only earned 23 votes.[7]

Legacy and political significance

Guillem Agulló has become a symbol of anti-fascism and anti-racism in Spain. Multiple homages have happened. Several demonstrations commemorate the anniversaries of his assassination.[8] Several streets have been named after him: in Vic,[9] Barcelona,[10] Valencia,[11] Vilassar de Dalt[12] and Burjassot.[13] The Corts Valencianes created the Guillem Agulló Prize to commemorate «the prominent people and initiatives in the fight against xenophobia, racism, and hate crimes».[14] In 2019 the Senate of Spain approved the creation of the Guillem Agulló fund to help the families of victims of hate crimes.[15]

References

  1. ^ Martí, Genar «Un neonazi d'Alacant es confessa autor de la mort d'un jove antiracista». Diari Avui, 15/04/1993.
  2. ^ Gil, Joaquín (2013-04-07). "La lacra ultra sobre los Agulló". El País (in Spanish). ISSN 1134-6582. Retrieved 2024-02-11.
  3. ^ peiró, empar. "«El mataren per independentista» - 21 juliol 2009". El Punt Avui (in Catalan). Retrieved 2024-02-11.
  4. ^ "Sólo un condenado por la muerte del joven Guillem Agulló". El País (in Spanish). 1996-05-21. ISSN 1134-6582. Retrieved 2024-02-11.
  5. ^ "À Punt - El pare de Guillem Agulló denuncia amenaces continuades en el 25è aniversari del seu assassinat". 2018-04-12. Archived from the original on 2018-04-12. Retrieved 2024-02-11.
  6. ^ Lucas Marco (2023-04-12). "Tres décadas del asesinato del antifascista Guillem Agulló a manos de un neonazi que apenas cumplió cuatro años de prisión". elDiario.es.
  7. ^ "Crítiques per la presència de l'assassí de Guillem Agulló a les eleccions". VilaWeb. 17 May 2007. Retrieved 15 October 2017.
  8. ^ "Una manifestació recorre Burjassot en homenatge a Guillem Agulló". VilaWeb (in Catalan). Retrieved 2024-02-11.
  9. ^ Osona.com. "PxC també vota a favor de dedicar el nom d'un carrer de Vic a Guillem Agulló". www.naciodigital.cat (in Catalan). Retrieved 2024-02-11.
  10. ^ NacióDigital. "Barcelona aprova dedicar un carrer a Guillem Agulló amb l'únic refús del PP". www.naciodigital.cat (in Catalan). Retrieved 2024-02-11.
  11. ^ "Guillem Agulló tendrá un paseo en los Jardines de Viveros de València". La Vanguardia (in Spanish). 2017-05-16. Retrieved 2024-02-11.
  12. ^ "La Clau - Revista gratuïta del Maresme". La Clau - Revista gratuïta del Maresme (in Catalan). Retrieved 2024-02-11.
  13. ^ "Una manifestació recorre Burjassot en homenatge a Guillem Agulló". VilaWeb (in Catalan). Retrieved 2024-02-11.
  14. ^ "El primer Premi Guillem Agulló reconoce al activista Daniel Sanjuan Guaita". La Vanguardia (in Spanish). 2017-04-20. Retrieved 2024-02-11.
  15. ^ "El primer Premi Guillem Agulló reconoce al activista Daniel Sanjuan Guaita". La Vanguardia (in Spanish). 2017-04-20. Retrieved 2024-02-11.