Spanish prosecutors seek up to 27 years over Vidal-Quadras shooting

Spain’s prosecutor says Iran was behind the attempt to kill Alejo Vidal-Quadras in Madrid in 2023.

The former European Parliament vice-president was shot in the face outside his home on 9 November and survived.

Prosecutors seek 27 years in prison for alleged gunman Mehrez Ayari and sentences of 10 to 23 years for six other suspects.

They say those six helped with tasks such as surveillance, transport, financing and hiding evidence, while an alleged coordinator is still missing and is not charged.

The prosecutor links the attack to Iran’s alleged campaign against opponents abroad, and says Vidal-Quadras drew the regime’s anger through his support for Iranian opposition members.

The case follows a 2025 investigation in which a judge sent eight suspects for trial; prosecutors have now set out the penalties they want for seven.

The court will consider the accusations and decide the case; the suspects’ guilt has not been established.