Catarroja Investigation: Insights Into the DANA Case and Future Witness Testimonies

The legal proceedings concerning the DANA case in Catarroja, Valencia, have taken a significant turn as a judge has agreed to identify potential witnesses that may shed light on the interactions involving key political figures. At the request of a private accuser and the political party Compromís, the judge has decided to summon the escorts and driver assigned to Carlos Mazón, the president of the Generalitat, on October 29, 2024. This timeframe is critical, occurring between 3:00 PM and 9:00 PM, as it may hold pertinent information regarding calls and communications directly related to the case. The judge underscored the necessity of these witnesses, suggesting they may have overheard crucial conversations involving Carlos Mazón and Salomé Pradas, the former councillor of Justice and Interior now under investigation alongside Emilio Argüeso, her former deputy. The court ruling, released by the Superior Court of Justice of the Comunidad Valenciana (TSJCV), references a previous decision that ordered testimony from journalist Maribel Vilaplana, who dined with Mazón on the date in question, reinforcing the credibility of gathering further testimony. One critical aspect of the ruling emphasizes Pradas’ ongoing attempts to communicate with the Generalitat president. Supported by a notarial record from Pradas’ defense, the judge highlighted the categorization of calls she made around the time of DANA, detailing incoming and outgoing calls, including those that were missed or cancelled. Notably, the judge pointed out that there is a clear distinction between calls marked 'not answered' and those deemed 'canceled', indicating that the recipient of the former simply did not answer, while the latter suggests a failed attempt to connect. However, it remains unclear if the canceled calls were due to technical issues or if they were intentionally cut short by Pradas. The judicial analysis revealed that a series of canceled calls went unanswered shortly before a call was finally placed from the president to Pradas, indicating a possible urgency in the communications during this critical period just before the EsAlert system was activated to relay urgent information. As the situation unfolded, the court noted the escalating urgency for coordination between Pradas and Mazón, given the pressing nature of decisions that needed to be made regarding alerts as the DANA situation developed. The investigation seeks to clarify the timeline of communications and the possible implications that arise from these canceled calls, supported by the notarial records admissible in court. In contrast to the decision to contact the escorts and driver, the judge deemed it unnecessary to summon the attendants of the Palau de la Generalitat, asserting that the likelihood of them having overheard any communications was minimal. Additionally, the proceedings have allowed access to recordings of Mazón's entry into the Emergency Coordination Center, further aiding in time-tracking and accountability. The legal narrative continues to unfold as reports from the Department of Emergencies are reviewed in response to judicial inquiries, suggesting a rigorous examination of the events surrounding the DANA incident. As the investigation progresses, the court's systematic approach to collect testimony and documentation surrounding this case illustrates a determined effort to piece together the communications of key officials, thereby shedding light on the actions taken during a crucial point in Valencia's crisis management. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2