The L’Hospitalet police officers trial commenced this week at Barcelona Court. Three Guardia Urbana officers face charges of assaulting a pedestrian who witnessed a traffic accident. Subsequently, they allegedly falsified an official report to conceal their actions.
This incident dates back to 14 January 2023. It involves a corporal from the force’s Centurion unit and two other agents. Therefore, prosecutors are seeking four-year prison sentences and professional disqualification. The charges include falsifying an official document, filing a false complaint, and mistreatment.
Your browser does not support the video tag.Home » L’Hospitalet Police Officers Trial: Three Accused of Assaulting Witness
The Alleged Assault in the L’Hospitalet Police Officers Trial
The victim, identified as Raúl L., testified on Monday. He stated he was walking with his mother and his one-year-old daughter in a stroller. At that moment, he witnessed a collision between a bus and an intoxicated pedestrian. Shortly after police arrived, the situation escalated rapidly.
According to Raúl L., a police car with four officers arrived at the scene. One of them, a corporal, allegedly approached him aggressively. He positioned himself between the man and his child’s stroller. When the officer demanded identification, the victim hesitated. He noted that the street was on a slope and the stroller was beginning to roll away.
“He didn’t even ask me my name; he threw me to the ground and got on top of me,” the victim told the court. “He went for me directly.”
The prosecution maintains the corporal stated, “If you don’t give it to me willingly, you’ll give it to me by force.” The officer then allegedly pushed the man, grabbed him by the neck, and threw him to the ground. Meanwhile, the two other accused officers reportedly joined in to assist the corporal.
Cover-Up Allegations in the L’Hospitalet Police Officers Trial
The controversy extends beyond the physical altercation. Prosecutors allege the three officers drafted a police report (minuta) containing a “false account.” This was designed to mask their irregular conduct. The report claimed Raúl L. had resisted authority and insulted the agents. It cited phrases such as, “If you didn’t have a gun I’d punch you twice,” and other threats.
The victim denies these claims. He admits only that he told the officer, “If you weren’t wearing a uniform, it would be a different story,” out of nervousness. Consequently, the legal case against Raúl L. based on these police allegations has already been dismissed.
Key Testimony in the L’Hospitalet Police Officers Trial
Crucially, the victim’s version of events was corroborated in court by two key witnesses. These were the bus driver involved in the initial accident and a fourth Guardia Urbana officer. This officer was present at the scene but refused to participate in the alleged cover-up.
The female officer, a colleague of the accused, flatly refused to sign the police report. She stated the account described was false. She testified that the corporal grabbed the victim by the neck and threw him down without provocation. In addition, she confirmed hearing the corporal threaten to take the ID “by force” while the victim screamed in pain.
According to her testimony, Raúl L. “always collaborated, did not prevent anything, nor insulted anyone.” She further revealed that while en route to the station, the corporal admitted they should have arrested the man. However, having failed to do so, they decided to investigate him instead. This prompted the creation of the report that did not reflect reality.
The L’Hospitalet police officers trial is set to continue on 27 February.
Join Barcelona English Speakers WhatsApp Community .
