Spain's Supreme Court has ordered the Barcelona Court of Appeal to review the acquittal of Mossos d'Esquadra sub-inspector José Ranea in the high-profile 'Macedonia case'. This decision, announced recently, focuses on a crucial piece of evidence previously deemed inadmissible.
Key Evidence Re-evaluation
The Supreme Court partially upheld an appeal from the prosecution. Prosecutors had challenged all acquittals issued in 2022 after the extensive trial. The high court, however, only agreed with prosecutors on one specific point. It ruled that the Barcelona Court incorrectly nullified a key statement Ranea made after his arrest in October 2010. This statement, made beyond the legal 72-hour detention limit, is now considered valid for re-evaluation.
During that 2010 interrogation, Sub-inspector Ranea admitted providing police information to other individuals under investigation. This included a photograph extracted from police databases. This admission partially contradicts his testimony given years later during the trial. The Barcelona Court of Appeal must now rewrite its sentence. This revision specifically concerns a potential charge of disclosure of secrets by a public official.
Potential Consequences for Ranea
The outcome could either maintain Ranea's acquittal or result in a conviction. A conviction would carry a fine of between 12 and 18 months. It would also include disqualification from public office for up to three years. This would mean he would cease to be a police officer. No other crimes or acquittals will be reviewed. The Supreme Court did not amend the nullification of other evidence. This evidence included telephone intercepts, searches, and asset investigations.
Background of the Macedonia Case
The 'Macedonia case' began in 2009. Judge Joaquín Aguirre instructed the extensive investigation. The Mossos d'Esquadra's Division of Internal Affairs (DAI) led the probe. It uncovered an alleged network of drug trafficking, primarily involving cocaine, cannabis, and hashish. The investigation suggested police officers provided privileged information to traffickers. These officers allegedly received bribes in return. Prosecutors claimed payments included gifts, such as a video game console from a police informant.
This high-profile case generated significant internal tensions within various police forces across Catalonia. After years of investigation and a lengthy trial involving seventeen defendants, the 2022 verdict was largely inconclusive. It resulted in nine acquittals, five plea bargains with the prosecution, and only three convictions. These convictions were mainly for drug and weapons offences. Sentences were relatively low, partly due to attenuating circumstances like undue delays in the legal process.
Previous Acquittals and Annulled Evidence
Numerous pieces of evidence were annulled during the initial proceedings. These included telephone intercepts, searches, and asset investigations. The court cited violations of fundamental rights as the reason for their exclusion. This significantly weakened the prosecution's case against many defendants. Sub-inspector Ranea, currently active and stationed at the Vilanova i la Geltrú police station, was previously imprisoned. Police detained him in 2010 when the case broke. He spent one month in prison before the prosecution agreed to his release without bail. This occurred when the secrecy order on the summary was lifted.
What Happens Next for Sub-inspector Ranea
This Supreme Court ruling reopens a small but critical part of the 'Macedonia case'. This does not constitute a new trial, but a crucial review. It could significantly alter the judicial situation for one of the main police officers investigated. While a conviction could lead to his disqualification from service, it would not result in a new prison sentence. The Barcelona Court of Appeal must now decide if Sub-inspector Ranea crossed the line by revealing confidential information.
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Originally published by El Caso (El Nacional). Read original article.
