Interior Ministry's Stance on Migration Events
The Spanish Ministry of the Interior has released a new statement reiterating the government's position that absolves Morocco from any involvement in the massive influx of migrants into Ceuta on July 30 and 31. According to the ministry, the Director General of Police gathered reports from specialists in Immigration and Information on Wednesday, firmly denying the existence of any documents that implicate Moroccan security forces in the events that transpired.
The statement responds to inquiries made by Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska regarding a supposed police report that attributes responsibility for the events in Ceuta during the aforementioned dates to Moroccan security forces. In this context, Police Chief Francisco Pardo communicated the ministry's stance, emphasizing that there is no evidence to support such claims.
Emerging Evidence and Government Response
On Tuesday, the Spanish newspaper _El Español_ revealed the contents of a police report detailing how Moroccan agents allegedly guided and monitored the assault, with assistance from plainclothes officers. This report, originating from an intelligence unit within the Immigration and Borders Police, has been submitted to Judge María Tardón of the National Court, who is considering whether to open a case regarding the incidents that occurred in the autonomous city last month.
This emerging narrative contradicts the government's position, which has consistently exonerated Morocco from any accountability since the onset of the crisis. The report also highlights a police alert issued on July 29, warning of an extreme risk of mass arrivals in Ceuta and Melilla the following day. The Interior Ministry insists that the minister was unaware of these documents prior to their revelation.
Following the exclusive report from _El Español_, the minister met with the Police Chief on Wednesday to gather more information. In a subsequent statement, the ministry claimed that the National Court judge had ordered investigators not to disclose any details regarding the report's creation or content to their superiors, hence the Director General of Police was not previously aware of it.
Moreover, the judge has now authorized the investigative team to grant access to their superiors regarding the report. The Director General of Police has informed the Interior Minister that no police report exists that attributes the planning or execution of the events on July 30 and 31 in Ceuta to Moroccan security forces.
In conclusion, regarding the warning issued by the CENIF on July 29 to border posts, the Director General of Police explained that it was a routine risk alert that did not mention a potential mass entry the following day. This assertion has been contested, as _El Confidencial_ has accessed the original document of that police notice, which explicitly states a "potential risk anticipated for July 30."
As reported by elconfidencial.com.
