Seven charged over anti-tourism protest disturbances in Palma on 26 July
The National Police have presented a report to the court identifying a minority group as instigators of the violence. The seven will be required to appear before the tribunal.
Seven charged with public disorder following anti-tourism demonstration in Palma
Seven people face preliminary charges of public disorder and property damage following incidents that occurred at the end of an anti-tourism demonstration held in Palma on 26 July, according to the Majorca Daily Bulletin.
The National Police have submitted a report to the court investigating the events, detailing what happened that evening. The seven charged individuals will be required to appear before the tribunal. Officers assert that their actions were a response to violence initiated by protesters, who threw stones, cans and sticks at police.
The report underlines the particular tension recorded in the final phase of the protest, when numerous officers found themselves practically surrounded between Ses Voltes and Avenida Antoni Maura. Police describe the crowd gathered at that moment as a "hostile mob" and assert that officers had to react to the attacks they were receiving.
The report also documents confrontations between some protesters and tourists in the area, noting that incidents were not limited to passive resistance or occupation of public space.
Another aspect covered in the report concerns access to Ses Voltes. The demonstration organisers had been informed in advance that, for security reasons, not all participants would be able to access that area at the end of the march. Despite this warning, one of the organisers allegedly used a megaphone to address the protesters and incite them. Police regard this episode as one of the factors that preceded the violent reaction of part of those attending.
The investigation does not attribute the incidents to all those who attended the demonstration. The report distinguishes between the broad majority of participants, who acted peacefully, and a minority group identified as instigators of the disturbances.
The National Police's internal investigation into whether officers used disproportionate force on 26 July has been transferred to the Superior Police Headquarters in Valencia, given that the officers of the Police Intervention Unit who participated in the operation in Palma are from that city. It will be the Valencian police who will be responsible for analysing the conduct of officers from their own unit.
Source: Majorca Daily Bulletin