The Prosecutor's Office of Valencia has officially positioned itself on the ongoing investigation concerning public management during the devastating flooding event that occurred on October 29, 2023. The prosecutor has endorsed the assertions of the Court of Catarroja's judge concerning the potential criminal responsibilities linked to the alleged acts of negligence resulting in deaths and injuries during the floods.

Key figures under scrutiny include former regional Minister Salomé Pradas, who oversaw the flood response plan, and Emilio Argüeso, the regional Secretary of Emergencies, both of whom are scheduled to testify on April 11.

On March 21, the prosecutor submitted a document to Court Number 3 in Catarroja, presided over by Judge Nuria Ruiz Tobarra, opposing an appeal filed by HazteOír against a previous ruling that dismissed the group’s legal complaint against the regional government delegate, Pilar Bernabé.

Judge Ruiz Tobarra had rejected the request from the ultra-Catholic organization on February 25, ruling that their arguments did not substantiate allegations of serious negligence leading to homicides and injuries against the government delegate.

The judge indicated that linking the delegate's responsibilities to the fatalities and injuries resulting from the flooding lacked a legal basis, as the competencies regarding civil protection rest at the regional level and not with the delegate.

The legal reasoning adopted by the València Prosecutor's Office mirrors that of Judge Ruiz.

The document, prepared by prosecutor Cristóbal Melgarejo, references information from the regional Ministry of Emergency Services, the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET), and the Júcar River Basin Authority.

It asserts that Pradas, as the director of the flood response plan, held primary responsibility for implementing protective measures for the community.

The prosecutor's report highlights that the lack of declaration of a national emergency—neither requested by the Valencian government nor declared by the central government—meant that Bernabé's role was limited to strict coordination between the state and regional administrations.

The prosecutor contended that given Bernabé's position, she could not be held criminally liable for the fatalities and injuries that occurred as a result of the floods, as she did not hold the necessary functions to mitigate or prevent these outcomes.

Additionally, in a separate document dated March 11, the Prosecutor's Office argued that potential maintenance failures attributed to the Júcar River Basin Authority regarding the Barranco del Poyo should not be classified as a criminal act.

The lack of decisions by the Valencian government to undertake necessary preventative works to lessen the impact of recurrent flooding in this area was also not deemed a criminal offense.

Consequently, the prosecutor has suggested that the appeal submitted by the association representing victims of the flooding should be dismissed, affirming that the judge's prior decisions align with legal standards.