The mayor of Polop, Alejandro Ponsoda (PP), is still in an extremely critical condition after being shot in the head last Friday evening in his car outside his home in nearby Xirles.

A British couple alleged to have insulted and threatened the mayor over a boundary dispute last Wednesday, when they were informed of plans to expropriate part of their land, were detained shortly after the shooting. They were interrogated at Altea Guardia Civil barracks, but have since been released without charge.