More Victims Accuse Former Spanish Police Operations Chief of Sexual Assault

The atmosphere within the structures of the Spanish Ministry of the Interior is becoming critical. After a police inspector filed a querella against José Ángel González, the former Operational Director (DAO), new facts are coming to light. The victim's lawyer, Juan Antonio Piedrafita, announced that a second woman has come forward – allegedly a security worker – who accuses the former high-ranking commander of intimidation and sexual violence. The total number of women who allegedly experienced inappropriate behavior from the former chief or members of the senior leadership has now risen to four. The second victim claims to possess evidence in the form of video recordings and photos that are said to confirm her version of events. In the face of the growing scandal, the Ministry of the Interior announced the urgent start of a procedure to select a new DAO. The process is to proceed with maximum speed and involve selection from among 22 commissioners meeting rigorous seniority requirements. At the same time, the police's Internal Affairs Unit (Asuntos Internos) declared full cooperation with the court handling the investigation, although the victims' lawyers express skepticism about the impartiality of a unit investigating the conduct of its own superiors. The Spanish National Police, alongside the Civil Guard, is one of the two main national security forces. The system for appointing individuals to the highest operational positions has traditionally been controversial due to the strong political influence of the government on filling key roles in the uniformed services. The political consequences of the affair are far-reaching. Trade unions, such as JUPOL, have organized demonstrations in front of the ministry headquarters, publicly accusing Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska of maintaining a „code of silence”. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and politicians from the ruling PSOE party are trying to give the matter an ideological dimension, pointing to the need to fight ingrained chauvinism within state institutions. Meanwhile, the opposition, led by People's Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo, is demanding full political accountability, suggesting that the ministry knew about González's abuses long before his official dismissal. „Si el ministro lo sabía y lo ha tapado, no puede seguir ni un minuto más en su puesto.” (If the minister knew about it and covered it up, he cannot remain in his position for another minute.) — Alberto Núñez Feijóo Both officers and the public fear that the case of the former DAO is just the tip of the iceberg. Lawyers representing the first victim signal that they have received information about pressure and subtle threats directed at their client after the case was revealed. Currently, crucial for the further development of the situation will be court decisions regarding the admissibility of electronic evidence and the potential extension of charges to other members of the National Police's senior leadership.