Marlaska says he was unaware of the alleged sexual assault by the head of the National Police and removes his 'number two'
Spain's Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska denies prior knowledge of sexual assault allegations against the National Police's deputy operational director and has dismissed him immediately.
In a recent scandal involving the National Police in Spain, Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska has stated that he was unaware of the sexual assault allegations leveled against the deputy operational director (DAO), José Ángel González Jiménez. The minister firmly denied knowledge of the complaint, which he claims was kept confidential, and criticized opposition parties, especially the Popular Party (PP), for attempting to use the situation to further their political agendas.
Marlaska emphasized the gravity of the allegations and the need for swift action. Upon being informed of the complaint, he promptly called for an analysis of what he described as 'serious' circumstances surrounding the case. He instructed the Secretary of State for Security and the Director General of the Police to take immediate action, resulting in the dismissal of González Jiménez from his position.
This incident has sparked significant political backlash, with calls for Marlaska himself to resign. The opposition has criticized his lack of oversight in the matter, claiming that such serious allegations should have been handled with more transparency and accountability from the government. The implications for the National Police and the Interior Ministry could be profound as the investigation continues, potentially impacting public trust and the institution's integrity.