Minister Marlaska Demands Urgent Clarification from Police Chief
The Spanish Interior Minister, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, has formally requested that the Director General of the Police, Francisco Pardo, provide confirmation as soon as possible regarding a report suggesting that the significant influx of migrants into Ceuta on July 30 and 31 may be linked to the actions of Moroccan security forces. According to the Interior Ministry, Marlaska has sent a letter to Pardo seeking to ascertain the accuracy of a report allegedly submitted by the National Center for Immigration and Borders (CENIF) to the National High Court. This revelation was first reported by the media outlet _El Español_. Should this report be validated, Marlaska insists on understanding the timeline of the National Police's investigation, stressing the importance of this information for the government to make informed decisions regarding the ongoing migratory crisis in Ceuta, which falls under their constitutional responsibilities related to domestic and foreign policy, as well as state defense.
Government Stresses Importance of Awaiting Full Report
In addition to his inquiries, Marlaska has reminded Pardo that, in light of the national security interest declared by the Spanish government on August 25, such critical information should have been promptly shared with members of the National Security Council and the unified command led by Minister of Territorial Policy, Ángel Víctor Torres, along with other relevant authorities. Despite the pressure from Marlaska, the Spanish government has urged caution, advising that conclusions should not be drawn until the report has been thoroughly reviewed. In a recent interview, Torres advocated for waiting to have the document in hand before discussing its implications accurately. He deemed Marlaska's actions as appropriate in response to the information released by _El Español_, emphasizing the necessity to determine whether the Police had prior access to this report and, if so, for how long.
If the existence of the document is confirmed as reported, Torres acknowledged that Morocco could bear responsibility for the humanitarian crisis in Ceuta, a matter that the Spanish government has never overlooked. Beyond the potential implications for law enforcement, Torres expressed understanding of the heightened anxiety among Ceuta's population amid the crisis, while condemning the violence and insulting rhetoric that have emerged in recent days. He hopes the residents will demonstrate their exemplary character during the planned protests organized by the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces.
These demonstrations, as noted by Torres, were unilaterally called by the presidency of the federation, which is held by the Popular Party, and have faced criticism from several other political factions involved. He specifically called out both the Popular Party and Vox for their lack of support during critical moments in Congress, particularly when it came to voting against the redistribution of unaccompanied minors to other regions. Furthermore, Torres highlighted the Spanish government's announcement of over 300 million euros in financial aid to manage the crisis, which will take effect once the decree is published in the Official State Gazette (BOE). He expressed hope that parliamentary groups would support the validation of this funding in the legislative chamber.
As reported by en.ara.cat.
