The judge rejects Mazón's request to join the DANA case

BarcelonaThe judge of the DANA, Nuria Ruiz Tobarra, says no to Carlos Mazón. The magistrate has rejected the request of the former Valencian president to appear in the case investigating the management of the heavy rainfall, according to has reported El Levante and has been confirmed by the Superior Court of Justice of the Valencian Community (TSJPV). The former Consell official, to whom the judge responds that appearing is incompatible with his status as a witness - she herself cited him to testify, although she has not yet set the date-, could now appeal the decision before the Provincial Court, according to the aforementioned newspaper.

Tobarra argues in her ruling, disseminated by the Efe agency, that the former president's requested appearance could only be based "on Mazón's willingness to acknowledge participation" in the homicides and negligent injuries that took place on the fateful October 29, or on the fact that by testifying as a witness he has "the obligation to tell the truth" and considers that this "ineluctably implies the assumption of criminal responsibilities".

By appearing, Mazón sought to have access to all the information from the judicial investigation, which at every step has been tightening the noose around him. In the event that his request, currently rejected by the judge, were to be accepted, it would also open the door for him to try to influence the investigation of the case, for example, to try to get proceedings dismissed, experts recused, or precautionary measures requested.

In statements this morning from the Valencian Courts, where he still holds his seat as a deputy, and after his request was revealed on Monday, Mazón has defended his "right" to formally be an interested party in the case to "know" whether he is being investigated or not. "I want to know if I am being investigated or not. I believe I have the right to know it," he stated, recalling that "the Superior Court of Justice rejected Tobarra's request to charge him in the case.

In the brief filed on his behalf by lawyer Ignacio Gally, it was indeed pointed out the resolution of the TSJPV as a reason for his appearance. The lawyer argued that the former president had maintained a position of "maximum respect" towards the investigation of the case so far, despite having "indirect knowledge" of actions being taken that "directly affected his legal sphere." But he added that, after a ruling against his investigation, he requested "voluntary appearance" to "analyze the proceedings that are still being carried out against him."

Singled out for the disinformation of the tragedy

The reality is that, as the judicial investigation of the dana progresses, more and more evidence points to Mazón's responsibilities. This past Tuesday, the deputy director of Emergencies of the Generalitat Valenciana, Jorge Suárez, testified before the judge that the "Presidency of the Generalitat Valenciana" requested a copy of the call between an Aemet worker and a 112 technician on the day of the dana, which was subsequently manipulated and leaked by the PP to the press. the call between an Aemet worker and a 112 technician from the day of the dana, which was subsequently manipulated and leaked by the PP to the press.

Suárez made this statement as a witness before the investigating court 6 of Llíria, which is investigating the audio leak following a complaint filed by the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet). In the leaked audio fragment, which the PP used to accuse the Agency of not providing all information on the day of the tragedy, it could be heard how the Agency's technicians downplayed the importance of the alerts issued by the cold drop. Despite this, the full recording was later released, clarifying that the red alert would be maintained and warning of the meteorological situation that would come in the afternoon, especially in the northern area of Valencia.