Restaurant Owner and TV Personality Stage Hunger Strike, Hospitalized Amid Business Dispute in Melilla
A desperate act of protest in Melilla, Spain, has landed a television personality in the hospital and sparked concerns over the health of her husband, who remains chained to the doors of their sealed restaurant. The couple’s plight stems from a dispute with authorities regarding the business’s continued operation, despite claims of full compliance with regulations.
The crisis began when Fran Antón, husband of television collaborator Kiko Hernández, initiated a hunger strike and physically chained himself to the entrance of their restaurant. This dramatic demonstration followed the police sealing off the premises, a move the couple alleges is unjustified given their valid permits and a considerable investment exceeding €500,000. The restaurant, a venture launched just over a year ago, has been abruptly shuttered, shrouded in what observers describe as a complex and opaque conflict.
The situation escalated rapidly, leading to Hernández’s hospitalization on Thursday. As reported by the program “We are nobody,” where Hernández works at TEN, the collaborator was admitted after enduring a day and a half on hunger strike alongside her husband. “Kiko Hernandez is in the hospital. My friend, who is a nurse, came because she wanted me to take my blood pressure. She can explain her situation better to you,” Antón reportedly confessed.
Initial reports indicate Hernández’s hospitalization followed a fall during the protest.A nurse friend, present at the scene, explained to the program that dehydration is a primary concern, as the couple has abstained from both food and water. “I think what he has is dehydration, because here they are neither eating nor drinking,” she stated. Medical personnel are conducting an X-ray to assess potential injuries sustained in the fall.
medical experts warn of the dire consequences of prolonged refusal of sustenance. A doctor consulted by “We are nobody” cautioned that the couple could face death within three to five days if they continue their protest without consuming fluids. “If they persist in this situation without drinking, they can die in three or five days, depending on the physical state of each one. The body cannot bear it,” the doctor explained. The program implored the couple to drink water, highlighting the extreme risk to their health.
Adding another layer of distress, Hernández reported receiving death threats while in the hospital. “He told me that they were going to send me to a Moor from the border to cut me, that I would never tell. I fear for myself and my family,” Hernández recounted.
As of Thursday afternoon, Antón remained chained to the restaurant doors, continuing his hunger strike. Colleagues from “We are nobody” are closely monitoring the situation from Madrid, relaying updates and expressing deep concern for the couple’s health and safety.
Here’s a breakdown answering the “Why, Who, What, and How” questions, turning the update into a substantive news report:
Why: Fran Antón and Kiko Hernández are protesting what they believe is an unjust closure of their restaurant in Melilla, Spain, despite possessing valid permits and having invested over €500,000 in the business. They allege the conflict is opaque and unjustified.
Who: The key individuals involved are Fran Antón, the restaurant owner, and Kiko Hernández, a television personality and his wife. authorities in Melilla are also central to the dispute. The program “We are nobody” and its staff are
