Investigation into Moroccan Naval Activities Near Ceuta, Spain
In a significant development regarding the irregular mass entry of migrants into Ceuta from Morocco, Judge María Tardón of Spain's National Court has taken further steps in her investigation. She has formally requested information from the Ministry of Defense concerning whether there were any incidents involving Moroccan naval vessels or military ships present in Spanish territorial waters adjacent to the city of Ceuta between July 29 and August 10. Should such a presence be confirmed, she is seeking specific dates and time frames for these occurrences.
According to an official document obtained by RTVE, Judge Tardón has dismissed requests for certain investigative measures put forth by the Iustitia Europa prosecution, deeming them disproportionate. However, she acknowledges the necessity for other more specific and proportionate actions to verify "the existence of the reported intrusion and the circumstances under which it may have occurred," a point that has been acknowledged by the President of the Government and several ministers.
In her ruling, Tardón notes that the available evidence does not currently support the assertion that any potential presence of Moroccan naval units in Spanish waters near Ceuta was connected to the irregular mass entry of migrants through the Tarajal crossing on July 30 and 31. Furthermore, she states that there is no data in the case that would suggest that the actions of potential Moroccan naval vessels played any role in organizing, facilitating, or executing these events.
Among the actions agreed upon, the judge has requested the Ministry of Defense, through the Chief of the Defence Staff (JEMAD), to inform her if the intrusion of Moroccan vessels necessitated any form of action, reaction, or interaction with Spanish naval ships or any other national military units. She also inquires whether there were any occurrences involving these vessels coinciding with Spanish ships from other maritime services related to surveillance, rescue, or state security. In the event of a positive response, she requests identification of the naval units involved.
Additionally, she has asked if there are any recordings of possible stays or presence of Moroccan naval vessels in the specified Spanish waters, which should be submitted to the court.
Lastly, the judge has urged the Ministry of Defense to provide information regarding any incursions by Moroccan vessels into these Spanish waters that may have occurred after August 10, along with details surrounding such incidents, should they have taken place.
The news regarding a potential entry of Moroccan naval ships into Spanish waters near Ceuta last summer surfaced on October 12, coinciding with Spain's National Day, just hours before the King’s first visit to the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla. During a conversation with journalists at the Royal Palace following the Armed Forces parade, the Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, acknowledged that "we must be aware that such specific incidents do exist between two neighboring countries."
As reported by rtve.es.
