Spain’s ‘gag law’ lowers punishments for graffiti artists

THE Hospital Bola Azul in Almeria City was graffitied recently but the person responsible will not be arrested.
The new and highly unpopular Ley de Seguridad Ciudadana – Public Safety Law – has been dubbed the Gag Law, owing to its draconian response to unauthorised demonstrations with eye-watering fines ranging from €30,000 to €600,000.
But under this same law, graffiti artists can no longer be charged with a criminal offence, although they do face fines that start at €100 and go to €1,000.
Whoever was responsible for the Bola Azul pintadas could still find themselves out of pocket if tracked down – but they will stay out of jail, too.