Two minors detained over fatal stabbing of 45-year-old Manresa resident
Carles Vilajosana, aged 45, was fatally stabbed in Manresa in the early hours of Tuesday 1 September. Two teenagers aged 15 and 16 have been detained and placed in a closed-regime detention centre.
Two minors remanded after knife-wielding murder of Carles Vilajosana in Manresa
Two teenagers aged 15 and 16 have been detained and placed in a closed-regime detention centre following the fatal stabbing of Carles Vilajosana, a 45-year-old Manresa resident, which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday 1 September. Google News ES — Crime (es) has covered the live coverage published by El Periódico on the case, which has shaken the Catalan city and opened a debate about security and political responsibility.
The Mossos d'Esquadra located and detained the two minors a few hours after the attack. One of them had an active supervised release order from an earlier, unrelated case. Both have been remanded in a closed-regime centre; one of them is also receiving therapeutic treatment.
On Monday afternoon, officers from the Brimo and Arro units searched the home of one of the two detainees on Carrer de Santa Llúcia, between Plaça de la Immaculada and Baixada del Pòpul, according to police sources cited by Regió7. The extensive police operation temporarily blocked that street.
The Mossos believe the attack was carried out with considerable violence and with the intention of causing serious harm, although they have not yet determined whether the attackers had a clear intention to kill.
Funeral and family's promise to reach Parliament
The funeral of Carles Vilajosana took place on Friday at midday in Manresa. At the event, Yolanda, the deceased's sister, announced that she would bring the case to the Parliament of Catalonia. "Carlos, we will go far, we will go as far as necessary," she declared. The family has adopted the full name of the victim, Carlos Vilajosana Arocas, in their public communications.
Mass gatherings and political tension
More than 200 people gathered on Wednesday in the town hall square for a minute's silence. The gathering was attended by family members, neighbours and institutional representatives. Mayor Marc Aloy condemned the crime and stated that "such events cannot happen again," and announced that the town council would join proceedings as a private prosecution against the alleged perpetrators.
A second gathering, called without an identified organiser, brought together around 700 people at Plaça Major. The protest had a distinctly political character: chants of "Where is the mayor?" and "We want justice" were heard, and Aloy's absence was repeatedly questioned. Among those present was Yolanda, the victim's sister, who called for those responsible to be held accountable for the security situation. The protest passed without incident. Representatives of Aliança Catalana also participated, denying that they had organised the gathering.
At the Tuesday demonstration, led by supporters of Aliança Catalana, a banner directly pointed to religious sister Sor Lucía Caram and Mayor Aloy with the message: "You have destroyed our Manresa. Get out! We want to live in peace!". Caram responded forcefully on Friday: "Neither the mayor nor I are responsible for what has happened."
Neighbours and educators affected
The Security Committee of the Federation of Residents' Associations of Manresa (FAVM) has called on the town council for a concrete safety and coexistence plan. The body is asking for more police resources, coordination between administrations, transparency and neighbourhood participation, and for both objective data and residents' perception of insecurity to be taken into account. The FAVM insists that Manresa needs a "responsible, coordinated" institutional response based on prevention.
The crime has also particularly affected several educators who had previously worked with the minors involved, some of whom knew Vilajosana personally and even maintained a friendship with him.
Islamic communities in Manresa condemn the crime
The Islamic Community of Bages and the Islamic Community of Manresa have issued a joint statement condemning the murder "in the strongest terms," expressing their condolences to the family and calling for tougher criminal legislation. The organisations stress that "nothing can justify murder" and explicitly distance the crime from the Muslim community, noting that violence does not represent the values of Islam. At the same time, they call for rumours, generalisations and accusations against groups to be avoided, as these may generate neighbourhood conflict.
Source: Google News ES — Crime (es)