Spain’s National Court has ordered a criminal investigation into the mass arrival of migrants in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in late July, when more than 70,000 people reportedly crossed from Morocco into Spanish territory.
Investigating judge María Tardón said there were grounds to examine whether criminal acts committed outside Spain may have seriously threatened the country’s territorial integrity.
The investigation will examine possible offenses involving territorial integrity, negligent homicide and participation in a criminal organization.
Tardón described the mass movement of migrants as potentially characteristic of so-called “hybrid warfare” or “grey-zone” tactics, which can be used to exert pressure on a country and affect the lives and rights of its citizens.
The court’s decision also cited a Spanish police report alleging that Moroccan security forces showed “total permissiveness” as migrants crossed the border.
According to the judge, the documented conduct of Moroccan forces indicated what she described as clear facilitation of the crossings. Uniformed personnel allegedly made little serious effort to stop the movement, while some were suspected of showing migrants how to cross the border.
The Spanish government, however, has said there is no conclusive evidence establishing that Morocco was responsible for the mass crossings.
Moroccan authorities have not publicly commented on the Spanish police report. Moroccan media have challenged its findings, arguing that the document does not provide sufficient evidence.
Most of the migrants who entered Ceuta have since returned to Morocco, although thousands reportedly remain in the Spanish enclave as political tensions between Madrid and Rabat continue.
