Mossos chief defends operation
Martinez asserts that “group of radicals” tried to enter Parliament and police took action to stop them
The head of the Catalan Mossos d’Esquadra police force, Andreu Joan Martínez, yesterday defended the controversial police operation deployed at the doors of Parliament at the end of the mass demonstration on 1-O. A public order unit protecting the entrance ended up taking refuge inside and waiting for the arrival of citizen safety units to deal with the disturbances. The result: 32 police officers with minor injuries throughout Catalonia (20 in Barcelona), and the glass façade and main door of Parliament suffering a small breakage as well as being full of stickers with the slogan “Republic under construction”, already removed yesterday. The Catalan police says that it has opened an investigation regarding the events in Barcelona and also actions in Girona, and that arrests are not out of the question. Heavy-handed police actions in Arc de Triomf and the streets around Via Laietana have also been questioned.
The Mossos unions called the operations “improvised”, and some called for the resignation of Interior Minister Miquel Buch. The minister was yesterday summoned to appear in Parliament to explain the operations implemented from 29th September and 1st October.
“Since last Saturday we have seen a change of behaviour in what were always peaceful demonstrations in recent years in Catalonia; a group of radicals are seeking confrontation with Mossos agents,” Martínez explained at a press conference. However, when asked he did not want to label the group as belonging to any political party.
Martínez insisted that “if there had not been violent action the Mossos would not have acted” and that they waited “until the intention was clear” and mediation and warnings had not worked.