Riot police officer testifies to judge over push against retired teacher in Valencia
The officer under investigation claimed through his lawyer that he only wanted to move the protester out of the way. The teacher has not yet recovered from her injuries.
Police officer who pushed a teacher in Valencia declares he did not intend to harm her
The riot police officer under investigation for delivering a forceful push to the back of a retired teacher during a public education protest appeared before the judge hearing the case on Thursday. According to elpais.com, his lawyer stated at the end of the hearing that the police officer had no intention of causing harm to the protester, but only intended to move her out of the way.
The officer is under investigation for alleged offences of bodily injury—with the aggravating factor of abuse of public office—, against moral integrity and against individual rights. During the hearing, the officer answered only questions from the judge, the prosecution and his own legal representative, refusing to respond to questions from the private prosecution.
The judge presiding over court number 16 of the Investigative Section of the Valencia Instance Court called on the officer to testify, who had already been identified and against whom the police force maintains an open internal disciplinary file. The Government Delegation in the Valencian Region had previously announced "an exhaustive investigation to establish responsibilities" in relation to actions it described as "intolerable".
The incident took place on 31 May on an avenue in Valencia, when the teacher was walking alongside other colleagues in a protest by Valencian teachers. The riot police officer pushed her forcefully from behind without her noticing his presence. As she fell forward, she struck her face against the ground. Several protesters immediately reproached the officer for his actions, asking him why such action was necessary and shouting "Vergonya!"—"shame" in Valencian—at him.
However, according to the police report, the police force considers that the push "complied with regulations", on the grounds that the woman was encouraging protesters to occupy the roadway and to block traffic.
Damián Martínez, lawyer for the private prosecution representing CC OO del País Valencià, emphasised upon leaving that the officer refused to answer his questions. "On our part, we have complete respect for judicial procedures and timescales; the investigation is proceeding", said Martínez. He added that the teacher "to this day has not yet fully recovered from her injuries" and that she feels part of a collective campaign for the improvement of public education.
The lawyer avoided revealing the content of the officer's testimony, although he noted that the images from the day of the incident are "quite clear" and that, in his view, this constitutes "illegitimate and disproportionate use of force". The retired teacher has declined from the outset to make public statements to the media.
Source: Google News ES — Crime (es)