On social media, Diplo promoted a gathering in an environmentally protected area of Ibiza’s Sant Josep de sa Talaia village.
Diplo courting controversy? Never. In case our sarcasm isn’t leaping off the screen, let us clarify that we are not even remotely surprised to learn that the disgraced DJ and producer has landed in the crosshairs of Spanish authorities for allegedly promoting a party on an environmentally protected area of Ibiza on Monday.
The locale in question is one of the viewpoints along a beach called Cala d’Hort in the village of Sant Josep de sa Talaia. Diplo (real name Thomas Pentz) allegedly made multiple social media posts promoting the gathering despite “parties, concerts and shows on the cliffs” being forbidden by law, according to Periódico de Ibiza. Pentz has millions of social media followers and drew hundreds to the scenic area.
The Sant Josep Town Council strongly denounced the event in a statement. Fines for organizing events in protected areas reportedly range from €6,000-100,000 — but can be as high as €450,000 if the violator is found to have inflicted significant damage upon the natural environment. Local authorities are currently investigating the sequence of events leading up to the Cala d’Hort gathering.
“The space where this event was held is a Protected Area by the European Union through the Natura 2000 Network, in addition to a Natural Area of Special Interest, among other figures of environmental protection,” the Council said. “A vulnerable area in which this type of illegal activities promote the risk of fires, noise problems, waste, etc and, of course, endanger the integrity of the people attending.”
It remains to be seen whether Diplo or anyone else involved in the event will be found responsible for violating environmental laws. EDM Identity will provide additional information as it becomes available.