Berlin, September 18, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Spanish authorities to bring those responsible for assaulting journalist Román Cuesta to justice after the veteran investigative reporter identified his suspected assailants using a video of the attack posted online.

“The assault on Román Cuesta is a stark reminder of the growing threats facing journalists covering far-right networks in Spain,” said Attila Mong, CPJ’s Europe representative. “Spanish authorities must swiftly and transparently investigate the leads that Cuesta has provided and ensure that journalists can report on issues of public interest without fear of violence.”

On August 27, Cuesta, a reporter with the left-wing online newspaper Diario Red, was attacked outside his home in the northwestern city of Salamanca. In the video, circulated on social media, a man is seen trying to hit Cuesta and pepper sprays him, while a woman insults him. 

Cuesta used open-source investigation techniques to identify his assailants and published his findings in two detailed Diario Red analyses. The journalist identified the man who posted the video and a fourth who carried out surveillance.

Cuesta, known for his investigations exposing anonymous social media accounts linked to the far-right, has previously received threats because of his work.

Police told Diario Red two days after the attack on August 29, that they had taken statements from the individuals that Cuesta named for their investigation. They had not named any suspects or made any arrests at the time of publication. 

CPJ’s emailed request for comment to the police in Salamanca received no reply.