The police operation deployed on Saturday in Catalonia concluded with **2,264** individuals identified and **181** reports for dangerous objects. In Barcelona, there were **three** arrests.
According to La Razón, the second day of calls linked to the Blocus movement took place on Saturday without disturbances or gatherings in Barcelona and other Catalan cities. The operation, aimed at preventing a repeat of the looting on October 24, resulted in a total of 2,264 identifications, as reported by the Minister of Interior and Public Security, Núria Parlon, in her update on Sunday.
Parlon detailed on Catalunya Ràdio that 1,800 identifications were made by the Mossos d'Esquadra and 464 by the Guardia Urbana. Additionally, 181 reports were filed for the seizure of potentially dangerous objects, such as stones and sprays.
In the capital, where the greatest concern was concentrated, 1,440 individuals were identified, three arrests were made, and 127 administrative records were raised. The deployment mobilised over 500 agents, and the minister considers it well-coordinated and necessary to convey that the disturbances from the previous week should not be repeated.
Many shops in central Barcelona closed as a precaution due to fears of new looting. Parlon denies that the police presence hindered commercial activity and asserts that the Blocus calls require a different operational approach than a conventional protest. Among the measures, controls on public transport were reinforced due to the possibility of young people from other municipalities travelling to Barcelona.
When asked about criticisms regarding possible ethnic profiling in identifications, the minister rejects that the agents acted on racial criteria.
“After what happened last week in Barcelona, can anyone suggest that the police were making identifications based on ethnic reasons? Honestly?”
According to Parlon, the controls targeted individuals who matched the profile described in the Blocus platforms, which included indications about clothing. The CUP denounces indiscriminate identifications of young people, some based on racial profiling, and demands Parlon's appearance in the Parlament.
The minister also expresses concern about the age of some identified individuals, including minors under 12 years. Therefore, she calls for more involvement from families and announces that the Mossos will continue to monitor social media and digital platforms over the coming weeks.
Last Friday, Parlon met with technology companies to demand that they detect and shut down the channels used to organise these calls.
“When they detect these movements on their networks, for their reputation as well as what this means, they must stop it and close these channels.”
Apart from the operation, the Mossos are continuing their investigation into the disturbances of October 24 and the digital structure that may have driven the looting. The Investigating Court number 14 of Barcelona has ordered provisional imprisonment, communicated and without bail, for a detainee considered the alleged ideologue of a group organised through networks.
So far, the investigation has resulted in four arrests in Catalonia linked to the Blocus channels. The latest arrest occurred on Saturday in Cabrera d'Anoia, where the Mossos detained a 21-year-old whom they attribute the role of administrator of one of the communication groups used to coordinate violent actions.
On Thursday, a 17-year-old was arrested in Bellmunt (Lleida) and the administrator of a channel in Sant Sadurní d'Anoia that incited violence. On Friday, an 18-year-old related to the organisation of one of the groups was arrested in Barcelona. The minor from Sant Sadurní d'Anoia will be placed in closed custody, as agreed by the courts on Saturday.
Trending on the web
You may also like
