Spanish police have arrested in La Línea de la Concepción (Cádiz) six suspected perpetrators of an attack on two Spanish customs agents on a Gibraltar beach. It has been done without the collaboration of its Gibraltar partners, according to two sources familiar with the operation informed this newspaper, stating that Gibraltar could transmit, for example, images from security cameras. Identification of the smuggler who stoned the two agents in Playa de Levante has been carried out thanks to a video recorded with a cell phone from one of the people present at the attack and testimony and confessions from the two Customs agents who were attacked, reported the National Police. However, the Government of the Rock has assured in a press release that the Royal Gibraltar Police (RGP, in its English acronym) is “in touch” with the Spanish National Police and that “as always, Gibraltar force orders will be happy to cooperate with any requests.” nor for the provision of evidence in this process, as we normally offer in all cases.” He added that “he is pleased legal action will be taken.”

One of the two agents followed medical leave due to serious facial injuries from the stone received during the assault, as this newspaper learned from one of his colleagues. He had to undergo surgery to rebuild the eye socket area. They therefore congratulated themselves on the arrest that had taken place, as the assault “could not go unpunished”.

When the attack took place, on February 3, Diplomatic tensions between Spain, Britain and Gibraltar reached a fever pitch, and all in the midst of negotiating the Agreement on the inclusion of British colonies in European territory after Brexit. So, Fabián Picardo describes it as a “serious violation” of their sovereignty and a “raid”. Two Spanish agents from the Customs Inspection Service ran aground in Playa Levante while chasing tobacco dealers. They even fired their guns into the air, something Chief Minister Batu explained “the most serious and dangerous incident in years”.

The Spanish reacted by emphasizing the Spanish nature of this isthmus (about 800 meters long and separated from Spain by a one kilometer fence). It was never ceded to England both under the terms of the Utrecht Agreement and under other agreements. The British Empire says that its sovereignty over the southern part of the isthmus is based on prescription, that is, fait accompli of having ruled the area for three centuries without Spain claiming it.

The judge has tried to avoid this controversy. In arrest warrant, filed by InfoGibraltarhe kept his back: “This Instructor shall not enter to debate existing and eternal issues in the territorial waters in which we are located”, reading the text, which cautioned that, however, “Attacks against Spanish authorities or public officials” can be sued even if there is “outside the national territory” according to article 23 of the Organic Law of Judiciary.

Gibraltar said the incident occurred “obviously” outside Spanish territory. “Spanish law provides that an attack on a Spanish national can be prosecuted in Spain wherever in the world it occurs,” the note read. “Therefore, Spanish security forces and agencies can continue these accusations in Spain regardless of the facts to which they refer events that clearly occurred outside of Spain without raising questions of sovereignty or jurisdiction”.

Nervousness surfaced as there was fear of any factor that could add fuel to an otherwise uncontrollable diplomatic bonfire. Negotiations to determine the status of Gibraltar within the European Union’s Schengen area, as Gibraltar and Great Britain wanted, and tearing down the Gates, as Spain wanted, stalled. Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares, gave some sort of ultimatum to the British side last December, ensuring that the Spanish proposal on the table is the last, and the ball is now in the English court. England and Gibraltar say that This is not a “proposal”, but a proposala, and it has to be negotiated point by point.

police operation

Those in police custody have been charged with felony injuries, serious assault on an agent of authority and tobacco smuggling. They are considered those primarily responsible for the events that occurred last February, cWhen two SVA agents were injured with serious injuries when they tried to thwart a seizure of contraband tobacco, according to the Police themselves in a press release collected by EFE.

The incident which had a big impact when the video of his action was published, occurred in the context of persecution carried out by Customs officers on a tobacco transport ship from Gibraltar.

As a result of the violent storms raging in the area at the time, they eventually ran aground on Levante beach, on Gibraltar’s east coast, where they were greeted with rocks by investigators, causing serious injuries to their faces, which required surgical intervention.

A complaint was filed at the La Línea de la Concepción Police Station by those in charge of the Tax Agency and, after they had recovered from their injuries, the assaulted officer was heard in a statement at the police station.

This statement of those affected, together with the photographic examination carried out and the investigation carried out by agents of the Urban Crime Group associated with the Local Judicial Police Brigade, have culminated in the identification and arrest of six Spanish nationals as suspected perpetrators of the crime. program.

The investigation remains open for full clarification of the truth, as well as the location and arrest of those more responsible, who are currently under search and arrest.