A Spanish court is investigating the mass influx of migrants into Ceuta — Bloomberg
In Spain, a court has launched an official investigation into the mass influx of migrants into Ceuta—a Spanish exclave in North Africa. The judge suggested that the incident could be classified as a crime against the country’s territorial integrity.
“We are dealing with criminal acts that were allegedly committed abroad and that seriously infringed upon Spain’s territorial integrity,” said María Tardón, a judge on the High Court (Audiencia Nacional).
This refers to events in late July, when approximately 80,000 people illegally crossed the border from Morocco into Ceuta. Dozens of people died while attempting to cross.
Most of the migrants subsequently left the city; however, according to the data provided, between 5,000 and 10,000 people remain in Ceuta. For a city with a population of about 83,000, this places a significant burden on the city. At the same time, the humanitarian situation is deteriorating, and discontent among local residents is growing.
Judge Tardon is tasked with determining whether crimes against peace or the independence of the state were committed, as well as offenses related to foreigners, and with investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths that occurred during the sea crossing. Separately, the investigation will examine whether a criminal organization may have been involved in organizing the mass influx.
The basis for opening the investigation was a police report stating that Moroccan authorities “actively facilitated” migrants crossing the border—either on foot or by sea.
Most political forces in Spain, particularly Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s allies in parliament, accuse Morocco of having, at the very least, allowed the mass border crossing or possibly organized it.
At the same time, Sánchez stated that he has no evidence that the Moroccan government planned the mass influx of migrants. According to him, if Morocco’s responsibility is proven, Spain will respond decisively.
This could lead to a deterioration in relations between Madrid and Rabat. Morocco is an important partner for Spain and the EU on issues of migration, counterterrorism, and trade.
Morocco also has numerous agreements with the European Union and effectively shares a border with the EU through Ceuta and Melilla—two Spanish exclaves in North Africa.
Source: Bloomberg
In Spain, a majority of those surveyed viewed the actions of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s government negatively during the mass crossing of the border by migrants in Ceuta in late July. According to a 40dB poll conducted for El País and the SER radio station, only 14.2% of respondents rated Sánchez’s handling of the situation positively.
In the Spanish city of Ceuta, an autonomous territory of Spain in North Africa, a humanitarian and political crisis unfolded following the mass border crossing from Morocco. In late July, approximately 70,000 people arrived in Ceuta, and 142 people died while attempting to enter the territory, primarily due to drowning and stampedes.
