Valencia Prosecutors Office Challenges Indictment of Former Emergency Official in DANA Investigation
The Valencia Prosecutors Office has expressed opposition to the indictment of Emilio Argüeso, the former deputy of the Emergencies department of the Generalitat Valenciana, stating that ongoing investigations related to the DANA (an extreme weather event) may still reveal his potential involvement in actions that could have prevented or lessened the impact of the disaster that led to multiple fatalities. This position was outlined in a document obtained by EFE, where the Public Ministry has voiced its support for Argüeso’s appeal against the preliminary indictment issued by the investigating judge on March 10 of this year.
Argüeso, who has recently testified as an investigated individual along with former councilor Salomé Pradas, finds himself at the center of scrutiny primarily due to his significant role within a governmental structure that the prosecutors believe cannot automatically be held accountable for decisions made or not made in response to emergencies, simply based on their hierarchical position.
The Prosecutors Office has detailed that, according to Supreme Court jurisprudence, attributing objective responsibility to individuals because of their positions is unfounded without concrete evidence of their failure to act as required by their duties. Argüeso's role was as the secretary of Emergencies, subordinated to Pradas, who led the department during the DANA.
However, the Prosecutors have also indicated that should subsequent investigations uncover evidence suggesting that Argüeso disregarded responsibilities that directly contributed to the risk of life or bodily integrity of individuals affected by the DANA, the possibility for his indictment remains open.
In further developments, Pradas has been shifting the burden of responsibility regarding the DANA incident, claiming that her role did not primarily involve directing responses to emergencies, and noted her limited experience in such situations. Pradas emphasized the collective nature of emergency management, highlighting that numerous technicians—including personnel from both regional and central government—are involved in addressing crises. This collective effort, she argued, should dilute individual responsibility at the higher echelons of management for the failures during the DANA event.
Both former officials are thus embroiled in a complex investigation that seeks to clarify the responsibilities pertaining to the actions taken or neglected during a crisis that arguably had tragic outcomes. The ongoing inquiry could eventually lead to reevaluation and potentially recalibrated consequences for those in positions of power within the Valencian emergency management framework.
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