The Spanish Public Ministry announced this Friday (23) that it has decided to close the investigation into the deaths of at least 23 African migrants at the end of June when they tried to enter the Spanish territory of Melilla from Morocco.
In the statement made by the Office of the Chief Public Prosecutor, it was decided to archive the process on the grounds that “there was no criminal element in the actions of the agents” during the events of the Spanish security forces.
“It cannot be concluded that the action of the agents increased the risk to the life and physical integrity of the immigrants, so it cannot be indicted for willful manslaughter,” the note said.
However, the deputy states that he sent personnel to the security forces commanders for possible disciplinary sanctions against agents throwing stones at immigrants.
Hours after the UN demanded an independent inquiry into the facts, Spanish justice had announced that an investigation had been opened to “continue the investigation of the circumstances”.
On June 24, nearly 2,000 migrants, mostly from Sudan, tried to forcibly cross the border of Melilla, one of the two Spanish territories in Morocco, the only border between the European Union and the African continent.
According to Rabat, the 23 death toll is the highest ever recorded in an attempt to bring migrants to Melilla and the other Spanish enclave in the region, Ceuta.
NGOs and independent analysts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council lifted the balance to 37 deaths during the tragedy that sparked international outrage.
source: Noticias
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.