Former Justice Minister and Deputy Called to Testify in Flood Management Investigation in Valencia
Salomé Pradas and Emilio Argüeso summoned for questioning, while key government officials are also set to provide testimony.
The Instruction Court Number 3 of Catarroja, which is investigating the management of the recent floods in Valencia, has summoned Salomé Pradas, the former Minister of Justice and Interior of the Community of Valencia, to testify as an investigated party on April 11. Alongside her, Emilio Argüeso, the former Secretary of Emergency Services, has also been called to appear before the court.
On the same day, the court's magistrate has notified that government representatives, including Pilar Bernabé, the Government Delegate in the Community of Valencia, and Vicent Mompó, the President of the Valencia Provincial Council, will testify as witnesses on April 14. Additionally, two technical experts are scheduled to provide testimony on April 29.
In a related order, the magistrate has denied a request from the popular accusation represented by Acció Cultural del País Valencià to obtain data on the official vehicles used by Carlos Mazón, the President of the Generalitat, and his escorts during the critical hours between October 29 and October 30. The magistrate justified this decision by stating that Mazón holds a special legal status that prevents the court from ordering investigative actions regarding his conduct in this case.
Similarly, the request for investigative actions against Pradas and Argüeso has been denied, as there is no evidence indicating they did not participate in the meeting of the Operational Coordination Centre (Cecopi) or that their participation was delayed.
The same ruling applies to the Director and Deputy Director General of Emergencies, as they are not under investigation.
In terms of audio recordings that may have been captured during the Cecopi meeting on October 29, the magistrate has stated that attendees must express whether they possess such material and if they consent voluntarily to submit it for the investigation following their questioning.
Additionally, the non-profit organization SOS Desaparecidos has formalized its participation as a private accusation in the ongoing investigation regarding the flood management in the Catarroja court, representing families of those affected by the flooding.
Joaquín Amills, the President of SOS Desaparecidos, indicated that the organization is representing over 70 affected individuals and thereby does not require a deposit, unlike popular accusations which include several political entities such as the Socialist Party, Podemos, Vox, and Acció Cultural del País Valencià.
Earlier, Amills announced that the organization intends to undertake legal actions regarding both the cases in Valencia and those in Letur (Albacete).
SOS Desaparecidos is alleging a crime of 'involuntary manslaughter due to negligence' linked to a series of failures, neglect, and errors from various administrations.
According to a technical report prepared despite claims of a culture of silence within the authorities, the organization will request the court to summon Carlos Mazón to testify as a witness, holding him ultimately accountable for the disaster response.
The expert involved, Chema Gil, remarked that, based on the Valencian law 3/2020, the President holds the authority to declare a 'catastrophic emergency situation' during extensive or intense damage, which entails taking command of emergency activities.
Hence, the organization argues that it was the President's responsibility to be present at the Cecopi, advocating for Mazón to be called as a witness by the examining magistrate.
On the same day, the court's magistrate has notified that government representatives, including Pilar Bernabé, the Government Delegate in the Community of Valencia, and Vicent Mompó, the President of the Valencia Provincial Council, will testify as witnesses on April 14. Additionally, two technical experts are scheduled to provide testimony on April 29.
In a related order, the magistrate has denied a request from the popular accusation represented by Acció Cultural del País Valencià to obtain data on the official vehicles used by Carlos Mazón, the President of the Generalitat, and his escorts during the critical hours between October 29 and October 30. The magistrate justified this decision by stating that Mazón holds a special legal status that prevents the court from ordering investigative actions regarding his conduct in this case.
Similarly, the request for investigative actions against Pradas and Argüeso has been denied, as there is no evidence indicating they did not participate in the meeting of the Operational Coordination Centre (Cecopi) or that their participation was delayed.
The same ruling applies to the Director and Deputy Director General of Emergencies, as they are not under investigation.
In terms of audio recordings that may have been captured during the Cecopi meeting on October 29, the magistrate has stated that attendees must express whether they possess such material and if they consent voluntarily to submit it for the investigation following their questioning.
Additionally, the non-profit organization SOS Desaparecidos has formalized its participation as a private accusation in the ongoing investigation regarding the flood management in the Catarroja court, representing families of those affected by the flooding.
Joaquín Amills, the President of SOS Desaparecidos, indicated that the organization is representing over 70 affected individuals and thereby does not require a deposit, unlike popular accusations which include several political entities such as the Socialist Party, Podemos, Vox, and Acció Cultural del País Valencià.
Earlier, Amills announced that the organization intends to undertake legal actions regarding both the cases in Valencia and those in Letur (Albacete).
SOS Desaparecidos is alleging a crime of 'involuntary manslaughter due to negligence' linked to a series of failures, neglect, and errors from various administrations.
According to a technical report prepared despite claims of a culture of silence within the authorities, the organization will request the court to summon Carlos Mazón to testify as a witness, holding him ultimately accountable for the disaster response.
The expert involved, Chema Gil, remarked that, based on the Valencian law 3/2020, the President holds the authority to declare a 'catastrophic emergency situation' during extensive or intense damage, which entails taking command of emergency activities.
Hence, the organization argues that it was the President's responsibility to be present at the Cecopi, advocating for Mazón to be called as a witness by the examining magistrate.
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Translated by AI
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