Investigation into the Spanish Intelligence Alert Amid Migrant Crisis at Ceuta

Spanish Judge Probes Intelligence Alert Related to Ceuta's Migrant Influx

The investigation led by Judge María Tardón aims to shed light on an alert issued by Spanish intelligence just a day before a massive influx of migrants at Ceuta. The testimony of a former collaborator is now casting doubts on the reliability of Madrid's representatives in the enclave. The inquiry into the events that transpired on July 30 and 31 is intensifying, focusing on those responsible for anticipating the crisis. Judge Tardón is working to establish which services were alerted, who was expected to intervene, and why this warning did not prevent the significant arrival of migrants from Morocco.

On July 29, the Spanish National Intelligence Center (CNI) warned that a call was circulating on social media, urging individuals to cross the border “through the fence and by sea” the following day at 8 PM. This warning reached Gonzalo Sanz, who was then the chief of staff for the Spanish government's delegate in Ceuta, Miguel Ángel Pérez Triano. Sanz claims he immediately relayed this information to his superior. However, the delegate publicly stated that he had not been informed by his collaborator.

This contradiction now lies at the heart of the investigation. Gonzalo Sanz, who stepped down from his position on September 11, is scheduled to testify as a witness on October 1. He has declined to appear via video conference and prefers to attend in person. His testimony could determine whether Miguel Ángel Pérez Triano should also be called to testify. Additionally, the judge is set to hear from Ceuta’s president, Juan Jesús Vivas, on September 30, followed by Sebastián Vega, who was in charge of the local police during the crisis.

Multiple Avenues of Inquiry Between Madrid and Rabat

The CNI alert is just one of six focal points in this investigation. Judge Tardón is also keen to uncover how calls to gather in Fnideq were initiated, who organized and funded the mobilization, and which individuals coordinated the movements. The inquiry is focused on the approximately 72,000 crossings from Morocco recorded at Ceuta over two days. According to the police report that initiated the proceedings, the usual networks involved in human trafficking would not have had the capacity to orchestrate such a large-scale movement independently.

The magistrate is also intent on identifying Moroccan agents who appeared in videos and photographs taken in Fnideq. Some are suspected of directing migrants to specific points along the border. However, this involvement remains a hypothesis under judicial examination rather than an established liability. Various authorities, including forensic police, judicial police, National Police intelligence services, and the CNI, have been tasked with analyzing the images.

To trace the individuals behind the online calls and their potential connections abroad, requests have been sent to major tech companies such as Meta, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Telegram, Google, and Apple. The judge is also looking into potential irregular transfers of migrants from Ceuta to the peninsula after July 31.

As reported by bladi.net.