Marbella

A MAN was brutally gunned down while smoking outside a cafe during a shocking attack at a luxury Spanish resort.

Brit holidaymakers watched on in horror as the 25-year-old was gunned down in Puerto Banus on the popular Costa del Sol yesterday.

7

7

7

The victim was caught unawares and shot from close range in broad daylight as he spoke on the phone and smoked on the cafe terrace.

CCTV footage seemingly shows the gunman disguised as a tourist with a baseball cap.

The killer is believed to have got out of a car before targeting his victim.

He can be seen approaching his target before opening fire and continuing to shoot him as he lays on the ground.

The injured man was rushed to the nearby Costa del Sol Hospital, but sadly died hours later despite the efforts of medics to save his life.

Local cops confirmed last night they had made an arrest.

A spokesman for the National Police said: “We can confirm a 38-year-old man has been arrested over the fatal shooting of another man in Puerto Banus.

“The investigation is ongoing and we cannot offer any more details at this stage.”

Cops said they couldn’t comment on the nationalities of the victim and the man held.

Unconfirmed local reports are pointing to both the alleged killer and the victim being Swedish passport holders.

Although another report describes the gunman as Afghan-born.

The shooting happened just after 1.30pm yesterday, when Puerto Banus was bustling with tourists.

Police confirmed the victim died at around 8.15pm local time.

This follows earlier reports he had been shot half a dozen times but was still alive and in hospital.

Shootings in Puerto Banus and surrounding areas over the past few summers have led to high-profile police operations.

This includes a number of raids on upmarket clubs following criticism from locals the port area has become like the ‘Wild West’.

Last June, Manchester City star Erling Haaland was caught up in a dramatic police raid at a beach club called Playa Padre in Marbella.

The Norwegian was filmed putting his hands into his pocket to pull out his ID after cops in balaclavas demanded to know who he was.

The surprise raid resulted in the arrest of an Iranian fugitive.

One of the shootings last year in Puerto Banus included a March 11 attack on British-run eatery La Sala.

7

7

7

It led to the arrests in April of a British man and Irish national described by police as having links to organised crime.

Contract killers from Sweden have been blamed for an bout of violence around Europe, including the Costa del Sol.

Marbella has been dubbed the ‘United Nations of Crime’ because of the number of violent gangs operating there.

Bomb blasts on the famous coast in October 2018 led to the arrests of three ‘hitmen’ in Sweden and Marbella.

In a statement, Spanish National Police revealed the blasts had been linked to a criminal organistion of contract killers.

It read: “The investigations… linked the incidents to a criminal organisation of contract killers based in Sweden.

“This organisation is believed to be behind a number of violent incidents in Sweden in which explosives have been used.

“Several members of the organisation, all aged between 20 and 30, were identified and evidence established linking them to the bomb blasts.

“Two were in the Swedish city of Malmo where they were arrested in a well-planned police operation.

“The third individual was held in Marbella.”

The so-called Mocro Maffia have also been identified as a problem on the Costa del Sol.

A 17-year-old Belgian youngster working for the feared organisation was arrested last month.

The teen was accused of flying to the resort of Fuengirola to assassinate a Dutchman next to a cannabis club in December last year.

Police have described it as the first case in Spain in which an underage hitman was the main suspect.

Kerry Katona claimed she had U-turned on a decision to move to the famous Costa del Sol resort with her family.

She changed her mind on moving with then-fiancé Ryan Mahoney because she no longer felt safe following the violent incidents there.

7

A French holidaymaker has shared a “hidden gem” Spanish town that is just an hour away from the popular tourist destination of Marbella – and it’s perfect for those wanting to avoid the crowds

With just a month of summer remaining, many might be scrambling to secure a last-minute getaway or beginning to fantasise about next year’s destinations, with Spain continuing to be amongst the top choices for British holidaymakers.

Whilst renowned tourist hotspots such as Benidorm, Barcelona and Marbella have witnessed locals demonstrating against the massive influx of annual visitors, several lesser-known towns remain relatively uncrowded – and they’re practically on our doorstep. However, if you’re keen to explore somewhere fresh, choosing your ideal destination can feel daunting. To help, a French traveller called Marina has revealed her “hidden-gem” location for those seeking to enjoy the Spanish culture without the crowds.

Amongst the numerous lesser-known towns is Iznájar. Situated in Córdoba province within Andalucia in southern Spain, this town houses 4,960 residents yet maintains a lively community atmosphere.

“One of the most beautiful villages of Spain,” Marina wrote her TikTok video whilst showcasing highlights from her trip. Strolling through the cobbled lanes wearing a vibrant yellow dress, Marina showed the whitewashed buildings adorned with blue flowering plants, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of Greece‘s Santorini.

Marina wrote in the caption of her video: “Save this for one of the most beautiful villages of Spain. Which one is your favourite?”

She went on to share the exact details of the destination where she filmed the video: “Iznájar – a must see of the Pueblos Blancos This exact spot is called Patio de las Comedias.”

Patio de las Comedias is a tapas establishment situated at the town’s heart, near the historic castle. Not only does it serve traditional Spanish tapas, it also boasts amazing views that overlook the rest of the town.

She then revealed a breathtaking view from a vantage point, showcasing endless rows of charming white buildings with olive groves stretching into the distance. Olive harvesting is a key economic activity in Iznájar, but tourism is on the rise.

For those keen to immerse themselves in Spanish nature, Marina also highlighted the Iznajar Reservoir that encircles the town. It’s the largest in Andalucía and transforms into a bustling “beach” during the summer season.

If you’re itching for more than just a quaint town experience, you’ll be pleased to know that Iznájar is merely an hour’s drive from vibrant Marbella, perfect for a city escape.

Accessing this historic town is a breeze for international travellers, with Marbella airport being the nearest gateway.

The comments section was quickly flooded with enthusiasm, as many expressed their desire to visit on their next holiday.

“Stunning! Love all the colour,” remarked one user, while another shared: “Love! My favourite was Frigiliana.”

“We couldn’t love Spain more, and there are so many gorgeous Pueblos to discover,” commented another admirer.