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[1/3]Police work at the site where Alejo Vidal-Quadras, former head of Spain’s People’s Party in the Catalonia region, was shot in the face, in Madrid, Spain, November 9, 2023. REUTERS/Nacho Doce Acquire Licensing Rights
MADRID, Nov 9 (Reuters) – The former head of Spain’s People’s Party in the Catalonia region was shot in the face in Madrid on Thursday, police said.
Alejo Vidal-Quadras was shot in the wealthy Salamanca area of central Madrid at about 1.30 p.m. and taken to hospital.
Spanish police said they were hunting two men in connection with the shooting who were on a black Yamaha motorbike. The gunman, who was wearing a helmet, stopped and got off to shoot Vidal-Quadras.
After the shooting, both men escaped on the motorbike.
Vidal-Quadras, 78, was the head of the centre-right PP in Catalonia and a member of the far-right Vox party.
“I want to convey my solidarity and wishes for a speedy recovery to Alejo Vidal-Quadras. All my affection at this time for him and his family,” Spain’s acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez posted on social media on Thursday.
Police have cordoned off the area where the shooting happened. No arrests have yet been made, police said.
Reporting by Graham Keeley; Editing by Angus MacSwan and Toby Chopra
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David Turner is a globe-trotting journalist who brings a global perspective to our readers. With a commitment to shedding light on international events, he explores complex geopolitical issues, offering a nuanced view of the world’s most pressing challenges.
