The judge in the DANA case summons Carlos Mazón
The former Valencian president will have to testify as a witness
ValenciaThe moment has arrived. The judge in Catarroja presiding over the criminal case concerning the devastating floods in Valencia has summoned former Valencian regional president Carlos Mazón as a witness. The summons, which has not yet been scheduled, includes a request for him to voluntarily provide any messages and calls from October 29, 2024, related to the handling of the tragedy.
Why now? Nuria Tobarra already tried this some time ago, offering Mazón the opportunity to testify voluntarily. The former president rejected this proposal and also declined to provide any documentation to the court. Tobarra cannot formally charge Mazón because he retains his protected status as a regional deputy, but she has a new element that she believes allows her to summon him as a witness: the High Court of Justice (TSJ) of the Valencian Community, the only court with the authority to do so. has rejected the judge's request to investigate Mazón.
Unlike those under investigation, Mazón, as a witness, will be obligated to tell the truth when questioned. Could he be charged afterward? Yes, and this fact could lead Mazón's defense to appeal the summons. Tobarra clings to the fact that the High Court's refusal to investigate the former president completely excludes his responsibility for omission, as he did not hold the position of guarantor. In other words, the High Court's decision could suggest that Mazón will not ultimately be charged as responsible and, therefore, can be summoned as a witness.
However, the same judge adds that it is unknown what the future holds for the ongoing investigation: "It is not feasible to make a judgment about whether evidence will be obtained during the investigation that could lead to Mr. Mazón's potential criminal liability." In fact, the Valencian High Court granted Tobarra the authority to continue investigating and did not rule out reconsidering the charges should the investigation ultimately require it.
The judge has also decided to summon again the main suspect in the case, the former Minister of the Interior and Justice Salomé Pradas, to carry out a handwriting expert test on a handwritten document provided by the Deputy Director General of Emergencies, who has also been summoned again.
The spokesperson for the Consell will also testify
In the same ruling, the investigating judge agrees that Ruth Merino, who was the spokesperson for the Consell during the DANA storm, and several mayors will testify, asking them to voluntarily provide lists of their incoming and outgoing calls and messages from that day with different authorities and members of Cecopi.
In a second document, the magistrate requires an association to deposit 6,000 euros as a bond to exercise the popular prosecution, in addition to the private one.
