Valencian High Court Dismisses Investigation Against Former President Carlos Mazón

The plenary session of the Civil and Criminal Chamber of the High Court of Justice of the Valencian Community (TSJCV) has reached a unanimous decision, dismissing the idea of investigating Carlos Mazón, the former president of the Generalitat Valenciana. This ruling comes in the wake of the events related to the cold drop DANA on October 29, 2024. The court concluded that there is no substantial or objective evidence to suggest that Mazón's actions, as detailed in a report from the magistrate in Catarroja, amounted to criminal activity. The five judges on the bench emphasized that he did not hold the necessary position of guarantor for a specific duty or obligation that would lead to prosecution for homicide by negligence resulting from omission, among other legal prerequisites. This ruling, informed to the parties on Monday, addresses the inquiry initiated by the magistrate of the Court of First Instance in Catarroja, who had requested the TSJCV's involvement in investigating Mazón. As a current deputy in Les Corts, he benefits from immunity in this matter before the highest court in the Valencian Community. The TSJCV's 70-page ruling specifically focuses on Mazón's potential criminal liability, ultimately resulting in the archiving of proceedings against him. However, it is noteworthy that the ruling does not extend to former Justice and Emergencies Councillor Salomé Pradas, nor to Emilio Argüeso, the former regional secretary of Emergencies, both of whom remain under investigation in connection with the case. Recently, the Prosecutor's Office of the TSJCV had also issued a report suggesting that the court should return the case for further investigation. They noted that, at this stage of the proceedings, there were insufficient indications of any criminal misconduct on the part of Carlos Mazón regarding his management during the flood. However, they did acknowledge that the evidentiary situation might evolve, taking into account witness testimonies or documentary evidence that could arise as the instruction continued. Consequently, the TSJCV's latest ruling reinforces the decision not to investigate Mazón further. The five judges who deliberated on this case, including TSJCV President Manuel Baeza, Pía Calderón (the reporting judge), José Francisco Ceres, Antonio Ferrer, and Vicente Torres, have collectively decided against pursuing the matter, thus concluding a significant chapter in the examination of the former president's conduct during the critical incident. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2