Not one millimeter moves Fernando Grande Marlaska in his version of the June 24 tragedy at the Chinatown border crossing in Melilla. According to official figures, 23 people died in their attempt to cross into Spain. According to the Interior, and as the minister repeats wherever he is asked, none did so in Spanish territory. This Tuesday he has insisted on that version again, after on Monday, eight deputies from six parties viewed the images recorded by the drones and helicopters of the Civil Guard that day on the border that became a grave for a group of migrants. Because even the number is indeterminate. The figures handled by the NGOs reach up to 37 deceased, those of the BBC are 24 and in addition 70 missing are added. United We Can insist on the need for an investigation commission supported by different groups. Given this, Marlaska has shown his willingness to appear “as many times as he needs” and to give all the explanations that are required. In Congress, before appearing in the Reserved Funds Commission, he has not avoided the questions about that day, and has pointed out four issues: It is the same thing that he has maintained for five months. Before and after the images that were sent to the Prosecutor’s Office and the Ombudsman were revealed. The same ones that will reach Congress, and that some deputies have already seen. And the same ones that media like nius have published. The images of the Melilla tragedy Some deputies have pointed out that the images are not complete, but the minister assures that they are like that, that they are unedited and that they are the ones that exist. There are some recorded with a drone and also with a helicopter, and as usual, none of them have sound. With these images, the visit to the field and the explanations received at the Civil Guard Command, deputies from United We Can, ERC or Bildu, partners of the Government, conclude that there were deaths in Spanish territory, or at least controlled by Spanish agents. For Marlaska, the images do not reveal that, since they do not show what happened in the Spanish territory itself. The walls prevent their uptake.
