Junts per Catalunya and Esquerra Republicana have demanded explanations from the Ministry of the Interior this Monday for the charges carried out by the National Police against Barça fans before the match against Elche, in which ‘estelades’ were confiscated. For their part, the post-convergent party has submitted a series of questions regarding this action; while the republicans demand an investigation of the facts and have requested the appearance of the Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska.
Read more Barça comes out in defense of the fan beaten by the Police after confiscating an ‘estelada’ in Elche
From JxCat, their spokesperson in Congress, Miriam Nogueras, has denounced what happened this morning through a post on X, along with a video of what occurred. The also vice president of the post-convergents considers that “these animals must pay for this abuse and mistreatment.” The images show several officers removing ‘estelades’ and some of them hitting a fan with batons, who initially confronted and hit one of them.
The president of Junts, Carles Puigdemont, has joined Nogueras’ complaints and believes that the Police “structurally exude hatred towards Catalan identity.” “This disease involves people from the highest levels to football players, including judges and journalists. In a healthy society, this would be intolerable. In Spain, it is a merit,” he pointed out on his X account.
In the questions submitted this Monday, JxCat wants to know “the reason” why ‘estelades’ were removed before the match at the Martínez Valero Stadium in Elche and “what was the specific legal basis” for giving that order. In this regard, they point out that the law against violence, racism, xenophobia, and intolerance in sports “does not prohibit the mere display of an estelada, but establishes specific prohibitions for symbols or messages that incite violence or terrorism.”
Still in the submitted text, Junts asks if an internal investigation has been opened to clarify the facts and “identify” the officers involved, as well as if the Interior Ministry has given “specific instructions” to the Police on how to handle ‘estelades’ and other political symbols at sporting events.
For its part, Esquerra Republicana has issued a statement denouncing that what happened is “a cause for concern” and demands a “clear explanation from the competent authorities.” In their view, the police action and the confiscation of ‘estelades’ was “disproportionate.”
Thus, the republican party demands an “immediate investigation to clarify the development of the events” and “determine whether the police action adhered to the principles of proportionality and respect for fundamental rights.” In addition, they have submitted a request for the appearance of Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska before the Interior commission to explain the “unjustifiable police violence exercised” against Barça fans in Elche.
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