2023 Algeciras church attacks

On 25 January 2023, a sexton was killed and four people, including a parish priest, were injured in a machete attack at two churches in Algeciras in the Spanish region of Andalusia.

When the sexton Diego Valencia ordered him to leave, he chased the official onto the Plaza Alta square by the city hall, where he stabbed and beat him to death.

At a larger mosque on Calle Miguel Martín, he became furious when children began to run and shout upon leaving their classes at the madrasa; he complained to the imam, who dismissed his complaints.

[3] Minutes before the church attacks, Kanjaa launched an unprovoked beating on a 20-year-old Moroccan stranger whom he accused of "working for magic" and betraying Islam.

[9] The attack was condemned by leading politicians including prime minister of Spain Pedro Sánchez, leader of the opposition Alberto Núñez Feijóo, and President of the Regional Government of Andalusia Juanma Moreno.

[14] It was reported on 26 January that leading politicians of the Unidas Podemos coalition forming part of the Spanish government had not made any statement on the attack, with the exception of the condemnation by deputy prime minister Yolanda Díaz.

[15][16][17] Diego Valencia's funeral was held at his church on 27 January, with mourners including Juanma Moreno, mayor José Ignacio Landaluce and Bishop of Cádiz and Ceuta Rafael Zornoza.

[18] In November 2023, Father Juan José Marina contacted the Diocese of Cádiz and Ceuta to request the beginning of the process of beatification of Diego Valencia as a martyr in odium fidei.