Spanish Authorities Respond to Media Allegations

In a significant development surrounding the recent events in Ceuta, the Director General of Spain's National Police, Francisco Pardo, has emphatically denied allegations implicating Moroccan security forces in the planning or execution of the incidents that occurred on July 30 and 31. This denial comes in response to media reports that suggested Moroccan authorities were involved in orchestrating mass crossings into Ceuta. Following these reports, Spain's Interior Minister, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, sought clarification from Pardo, prompting an urgent meeting to address the situation.

The Interior Ministry of Spain issued a formal statement asserting that Pardo had communicated this clarification to the minister, following his review of reports from the General Information Commissariat and the General Commissariat for Foreigners and Borders. Notably, the controversy arose after the newspaper El Español published information from a report prepared by the National Center for Immigration and Borders. This report, which was submitted to the National Court, suggested that Moroccan gendarmerie officials had directed the mass crossings, allegedly acting under the orders of plainclothes agents for reasons not solely related to migration.

In light of the allegations, Pardo summoned the official responsible for foreigners and borders to provide further explanations. He clarified that the National Court judge overseeing the investigation, María Tardón, had instructed investigators not to disclose any details regarding the report's preparation or its contents to their superiors. Therefore, while Pardo did not dispute the existence of the report, he categorically rejected any claims that it implicated Moroccan security forces in the orchestration of the events.

Moreover, addressing a prior alert issued by the National Center for Immigration and Borders on July 29, which warned of a recurring risk, Pardo stated that this alert did not specifically predict a mass entry would occur the following day. This incident highlights the ongoing tensions and complexities surrounding migration issues in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta and its relationship with Morocco.

As reported by en.yabiladi.com.