The Mossos d'Esquadra, Catalonia's police force, has stated it acts within the law after allegations of police infiltration at a teachers' assembly in Barcelona. The force said it works to guarantee the right to assembly and carries out its duties according to current legislation and its powers.
Opposition parties Junts, ERC, Comuns, and CUP have requested explanations from the Catalan government regarding the alleged "police infiltration" at a teachers' meeting. Trade unions Ustec, Professors de Secundària (Aspepc-sps), CGT, and Intersindical, which organised recent education strikes in Catalonia, reported the incident.
These parliamentary groups have called for the appearance of Interior Minister Núria Parlon, Education Minister Esther Niubó, and Mossos d'Esquadra Director Josep Lluís Trapero before the Catalan Parliament.
Police Respond to Allegations
In a message posted on X, the Mossos d'Esquadra affirmed that they "work and will continue to work to guarantee the free right to assembly and demonstration, as well as other rights related to this area." They maintained that the force performs its duties and responsibilities "always in accordance with current legislation and the powers assigned to it."
Police sources indicated that both the General Directorate of Police, led by Trapero, and the Interior Ministry, under Parlon, are "fully willing" to provide all necessary explanations to parliamentary groups requesting information about the events.
Teachers Report Unknown Individuals
Iolanda Segura, spokesperson for Ustec, told EFE that during a meeting at the Pau Claris institute in Barcelona last Wednesday, members of the striking unions noticed two women unfamiliar to other participants. When asked which school they represented, the women stated they worked at Riera Alta school in Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Barcelona.
Union representatives then sought confirmation from a teacher at that school, who denied knowing them. The two women were subsequently asked to leave the meeting. The unions later claimed to have identified them as Mossos d'Esquadra officers.
Opposition Demands Parliamentary Appearances
Following these events, Esquerra submitted a series of questions to the government, asking for confirmation of plainclothes police involvement in the teachers' assembly and whether similar situations have occurred in other teacher meetings, along with the reasons why. Jéssica Albiach, leader of Comuns in the Parliament, demanded that the government "provide all explanations and, if necessary, assume responsibility," also calling for Niubó, Parlon, and Trapero to appear.
Anna Erra, Junts spokesperson for the Education Committee in Parliament, commented on X: "How far we have come! The Department controlling teachers' meetings. Given this fact, the request for Niubó's appearance makes even more sense. We demand explanations." CUP MP Xavier Pellicer also sought explanations from the government, emphasising that such actions would cross "a very serious red line."
