In a letter addressed to Judge Llarena, who asked the Mossos for explanations for not complying with the arrest order, the regional police criticize themselves and speak of a “distraction maneuver” that prevented the capture of the secessionist leader.
With a arrest warrant against Catalan secessionist leader Carles Puigdemont issued by the Supreme Courtthe Mossos d’Esquadra were unable to stop him during his return to Spain after almost seven years outside the country to avoid sitting on a bench.
In one police operation full of criticism and involved in a large number of unknowns, the regional Police did not arrest the fugitive from Justice even though he walked calmly through the streets of Barcelona and he even gave a speech at the Arc de Triomphe.
The Mossos recognize errors in the operation
Now, the high command has recognized the errors in the operation that had to take Puigdemont before Judge Llarena. They are making self-criticism as an institution for the first time, although on an individual level several agents had already expressed themselves to ‘Euronews’ his discontent with the non-detention of the escaped politician.
In compliance with the court order issued by the highest body of Spanish Justice, the arrest should have occurred. With this objective, a questioned ‘Operation Cage‘ which only caused huge traffic jams and the anger of thousands of affected citizens. Among them Puigdemont was not there, he managed to escape.
Llarena asked the Mossos and the Interior for explanations
Given these serious events, the judge in the case asked the Catalan Police for explanations, since the jurisdiction in said region falls on them and not on the National Police Corpswhich is why state agents did not act. They could only have done so if the Ministry of the Interior of the Generalitat had required it, which did not happen.
This Thursday the Mossos have delivered a report to the investigating judge of the ‘procés’ giving explanations about the questioned police device that was deployed in the Catalan capital on August 8 in order to capture Carles Puigdemont. The Ministry of the Interior has done the same, also in response to the magistrate’s request.
From the department of Fernando Grande-Marlaska they assure that both the National Police and the Civil Guard They offered their support to the Generalitat to cooperate in the capture device. However, the Ministry of the Interior rejected this possibility.
These reports, to which the local press has had access and which have been consulted by ‘Euronews’, explain that the objective of the plan launched by the Mossos was none other than “guarantee the normal development of the investiture debatemaintain public order and citizen security”.
Why did Carles Puigdemont return to Spain?
It must be remembered that Carles Puigdemont returned to Spain just the day in which the socialist Salvador Illa was being sworn in as president of the autonomous community after a fierce debate.
The arrest of the Junts leader was also part of the Mossos plan according to the letter addressed to Judge Llarena. It was, “if it appeared,” the text states. He showed up, but was never arrested despite the mass bath that took place on the Lluís Companys promenade of the Catalan capital.
The report details that “It was not consistent, timely or proportional to carry out police action through the use of force in that area.” This is something that agents such as the spokesperson for the majority union, Inma Viudes, agree on, who, in statements to ‘Euronews’, supports this reasoning.
“With over 2,000 people around, walking in there and detaining Puigdemont would have caused a public order problem and we have to avoid that at all costs. “We had to find the right moment to stop him,” said the agent.
The failed ‘Operation Cage’
When the secessionist leader escaped, ‘Operation Cage’ was activated to “locate and arrest the fleeing person“says the report in which they also boast of having arrested the agents of the Catalan Police themselves. accused of facilitating the maneuver.
Self-criticism involves recognizing the technical and formal failures in the operation. As described by the authorities, Carles Puigdemont caused a “situation of police confusion and uncertainty” that facilitated his escape by “distracting the attention of the agents.” The allusion to technical errors is a reference to the drone that stopped focusing on the former Catalan president when he fled.
A distraction maneuver
The conclusion of the report, signed by Eduard Sallent, chief commissioner of the Mossos, points directly to “a distraction maneuver“by “collaborators close to Puigdemont” who confused the agents, who were expecting him to give a speech in Parliament and later fled.
On August 27, it is expected that there will be changes in the senior leadership of the Mossos d’Esquadra. The leadership of the Catalan Police could change with the arrival of the new Executive led by the socialist Salvador Illa. On that date he will meet with the leadership of the regional Police together with the new Minister of the Interior, Nuria Parlon. It remains to be seen what decisions they make in this regard.
