An incident of violence involving a motorcycle club operating in the picturesque region of southern Majorca has left both locals and tourists deeply disturbed and fearful.
In mid-March, two individuals affiliated with the Hells Angels group were apprehended following an assault on a businessman in the s’Arenal area of Palma. The victim sustained severe injuries after reportedly being targeted at his restaurant and coerced to pay £8,554 (€10,000).
The arrested suspects, a 38-year-old Afghan and a 42-year-old Spaniard, faced charges of extortion and assault. Despite their initial detention, they were subsequently released as per the court’s directive.
The victim informed law enforcement that he was confronted by the Hells Angels leader in Majorca due to a tattoo associated with the biker gang and alleged disparaging remarks made about the organization.
Conversely, the suspects claimed that the assault was a response to the victim’s purported threats made on behalf of their club. They portrayed themselves as a new breed of Hells Angels distancing themselves from criminal behavior, aiming to preserve the club’s reputation.
Authorities from the National Police suspect that the attack was a targeted act of retribution rather than part of a widespread extortion scheme targeting local entrepreneurs.
Nevertheless, the incident has stirred unease among residents and visitors in the vicinity, such as Klaus Joseph, a German tourist who frequents the Balearic island for holidays.
While acknowledging his lack of personal encounters with the bikers, Joseph expressed to local media outlet Ultima Hora his dismay at the situation, stating, “It is unacceptable to coexist with such individuals. The transformation of areas like Playa de Palma and s’Arenal into crime-infested zones resembling the Bronx is intolerable.”
Joseph also mentioned acquaintances who had negative experiences with the group, reflecting a broader sentiment of concern shared by others in the community.
A restaurant owner in Playa de Palma echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the persistent anxiety faced by colleagues in the sector due to the presence of the gang.
The pervasive tension was further emphasized by another entrepreneur who described how business owners strive to avoid confrontation with the bikers, noting instances of non-payment for services and alleged intimidation tactics employed by the group.
The Hells Angels motorcycle club has a history of scrutiny by Spanish authorities. In early 2023, the Spanish National Court convicted 32 members of the Majorcan faction on charges ranging from money laundering to participation in a criminal organization.
The court’s ruling characterized the group as an entity with a structured criminal hierarchy, operating akin to a profit-driven criminal enterprise, despite not all members engaging in criminal activities under the organization’s banner.