Spain PM punched in the head

International Desk: Mariano Rajoy, the Spanish prime minister, was punched in the head on Wednesday afternoon in Galicia during a campaign appearance before Sunday`s general election.

A man in the crowd approached Mr Rajoy, reportedly asking for a picture with the politician, before he suddenly lashed out with his left fist, hitting the prime minister in the side of the head and throwing him off balance.

A video of the attack shows the young man with short dark hair and wearing a black jacket.

Spain`s state-owned RTVE news channel reported on its website that the impact of the blow sent Mr Rajoy`s glasses flying to the ground.

A spokesman said Mr Rajoy, 60, did not suffer any serious injury, but he appeared later with a deep red mark on his face.
The attacker was 17 years old, according to Spanish news reports.

"I`m glad I did it," he said, according to newspaper El Pais, before being arrested.

The assault took place in front of a church in the northern city of Pontevedra in Galicia, where Mr Rajoy grew up.

Ana Pastor, Spain`s development minister, said: "I have no words to express my outrage at the attack @marianorajoy has been a victim of this evening on the streets of Pontevedra."

Source: Agencies

risingbd/Dhaka/Dec 17, 2015/A K Azad