A legal complaint has been filed with Spain’s Supreme Court against Pedro Sanchez and two senior ministers over the government’s handling of a recent surge in irregular migration to the enclave of Ceuta, according to local media.
The complaint, submitted by Manos Limpias, also targets Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska and Defence Minister Margarita Robles, alleging serious negligence in responding to the crisis, newspaper La Razon reported.
The group argues that the officials failed to prevent what it described as a crime against the country’s sovereignty and independence amid the influx. “There is one victim here — Spain,” Manos Limpias said. It added that while criminal networks have established systems for smuggling migrants, they do not typically organise what it characterised as an “invasion.”
Manos Limpias, founded in 1995 to represent public sector workers, has become known for high-profile legal complaints alleging misconduct linked to political activity.
The case follows a late-July surge in which tens of thousands of migrants reached Ceuta by swimming or walking around a breakwater separating the territory from Morocco. Spanish authorities deployed military units to support security operations in response.
The Spanish government said at least 72 people died attempting to reach Ceuta, while authorities in Rabat reported 11 fatalities. Most of the migrants are believed to have since returned to Morocco.
Government sources said smuggling networks had circulated misleading interpretations of a recent Supreme Court ruling via social media and messaging platforms, encouraging migrants with claims that those who reached Ceuta would be allowed to remain in Spain.
By Tamilla Hasanova
