The judge of the Audiencia Nacional María Tardón has summoned three counselors from the Government of Ceuta, National Police and Civil Guard commanders, and several agents to testify as witnesses in the investigation into the massive entry of people from Morocco recorded at the end of July, between July 30 and 31.
The summons seek to gather accounts from those who were in the affected areas or intervened in the management of the crisis. Among those called are Alberto Ramón Gaitán, Nabila Benzina, and Alejandro Ramírez, members of the Ceuta Executive.
The president of the autonomous city, Juan Jesús Vivas, identified them during his statement as officials who "had a direct presence in the affected areas or active participation in the management of the crisis."
Statements by police and civil guards
The investigating judge has scheduled for Monday the appearances of Lorenzo Juan Fages, chief inspector of the National Police, and the lieutenant colonel of the Civil Guard who serves as head of operations of the Ceuta Command.
The three counselors are summoned for Tuesday. Wednesday will be the turn of three other National Police agents who were deployed in the entry zone at different times on July 30.
The investigating judge maintains that there was an organized operation
In the resolutions of the case, Tardón maintains that the entry "did not have an occasional or spontaneous nature, but rather it was an organized process in which the migratory purpose operated only as a formal cover that served to foster, promote, and direct a massive flow of people to the city of Ceuta."
The judge also questions whether "the purpose of most immigrants was to remain in Spanish territory." According to her approach, the operation "sought to achieve maximum impact on border management until its collapse and, once the first objective was achieved, to eliminate Spain's capacity to respond to contain or reverse the situation."
These considerations correspond to the position of the investigating judge during an investigation that remains open.
Inquiry to Defense about Moroccan military vessels
Among the latest proceedings, Tardón has asked the Ministry of Defense to indicate whether it has any record of the entry of Moroccan warships or military vessels into Ceuta waters between July 29 and August 10. The request aims to clarify this point and does not imply that such presence is confirmed.
Until now, the magistrate has already taken statements as witnesses from Juan Jesús Vivas, the former chief of staff of the Government Delegation Gonzalo Sanz, and the head of the Local Police of Ceuta, Sebastián Vega.
