A man in Spain who was paralysed in a police shootout after opening fire on workmates has been euthanised in prison before he could face trial.

Marin Eugen Sabau, 46, shot and injured three former colleagues and a police officer in the north-eastern city of Tarragona in December.

After being shot in the spine and left partially paralysed, he had begged to be euthanised rather than face trial.

A law – passed in Spain last year – states that adults with serious and incurable conditions that cause “unbearable suffering” can choose to end their lives.

But victims of the shooting opposed the request, arguing that Sabau should be brought to justice.

A court in Tarragona, however, ruled that it was Sabau’s fundamental right to request euthanasia considering his circumstances and stated that in line with the law, the judicial system had no right to interfere.