Overview

• Magistrates acknowledged Ferris used categorical and at times offensive language but concluded his dominant aim was to express a view on public security and migration policy rather than denigrate an entire group.
• The Ministerio Fiscal and private accusers sought a three-year prison term and fines, arguing he abused his police status to incite hostility using claims they said were false.
• The case stemmed from complaints by roughly 30 migrant organizations after a 2022 Vox-organized forum at Valencia’s Ateneo Mercantil where Ferris equated illegal immigration with crime.
• The court ruled that jailing Ferris would be a disproportionate restriction on expression, and the decision is open to appeal.
• Ferris had already been removed from his police post following the remarks, and in court he testified that his comments targeted criminals and that he did not call for people to take violent action.