Spain’s Supreme Court Makes Alvise Pérez Ruling Final in Canary Islands Police Privacy Case

Spain’s Supreme Court Makes Alvise Pérez Ruling Final in Canary Islands Privacy Case

A ruling involving European Parliament member Luis “Alvise” Pérez Fernández has become final after Spain’s Supreme Court declined to admit his appeal against a €10,000 compensation order concerning a Telegram post about the senior police chief in the Canary Islands. The case concerns the privacy and image rights of Jesús María Gómez Martín, the Canary Islands’ Chief Superior of Police. According to reports published on 9 and 10 October 2026, the Supreme Court’s decision leaves in place an earlier judgment that found the publication had unlawfully interfered with those rights.

What was published on Telegram?

The dispute dates back to 1 March 2023, when a post on Alvise Pérez’s Telegram account included a photograph of Gómez Martín and an extract from his professional curriculum published on an official police website. It also included a separate photograph showing the police chief with his partner in front of a mirror. The accompanying message made political allegations and referred to the police chief’s appointment and family connections. The post attracted tens of thousands of views and more than 670 comments, many of which were described in the court reporting as insulting or degrading.

What did the courts decide?

A court of first instance in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria ruled that the publication unlawfully interfered with the police chief’s rights to personal privacy and his own image. It also held Pérez responsible for harm to the claimant’s honour arising from comments made by third parties beneath the post. The original ruling ordered Pérez to remove the publication, publish the judgment and pay €10,000 in compensation. The Provincial Court subsequently upheld that decision. The Supreme Court has now declined to admit the appeal, making the compensation ruling final, and has also ordered Pérez to pay the legal costs of the proceedings.

Why does this case matter?

The case highlights the legal limits that can apply when personal photographs and information are shared widely on social media. Public debate and political criticism are important, but they do not automatically remove an individual’s rights to privacy, image and reputation. Whether a publication crosses the legal line depends on the circumstances and the courts’ assessment of the material involved. For residents of Lanzarote and the wider Canary Islands, the case is a reminder that online posts can have real-world legal consequences, particularly when they involve personal images, allegations or comments that may damage someone’s reputation. Sharing or repeating material online can extend its reach, so users should take care before reposting content about identifiable people. The ruling is a civil case concerning privacy, image rights and compensation. It should not be confused with a criminal conviction, and this report does not imply any wider finding beyond the matters described in the court reporting.

Key facts at a glance

• Person ordered to pay compensation: Luis Pérez Fernández, known as Alvise Pérez, a Member of the European Parliament. • Claimant: Jesús María Gómez Martín, Chief Superior of Police of the Canary Islands. • Telegram post: Published on 1 March 2023. • Compensation: €10,000. • Other measures: Removal of the post, publication of the judgment and payment of legal costs. • Latest development: Spain’s Supreme Court declined to admit the appeal, leaving the ruling final.

Spain’s Supreme Court Makes Alvise Pérez Ruling Final in Canary Islands Police Privacy Case