The actions of the Mossos d'Esquadra, the Catalan police, identifying people removing yellow loops from public spaces were correct. That's the verdict from the Catalan government's spokesperson, Elsa Artadi, in the press conference following today's cabinet meeting. As such, she called on public prosecutors to drop their investigation into the matter. "The force's actions when it comes to identifying people who could be going around wearing hoods at night are the same as ever," she said.
She was responding to comments from Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez, in Chile, defending the investigation. "It's the procedure followed by the force when they're alerted to possible situations of violence, threats or which could be criminal," said Artadi. "They shouldn't put the focus on the people who are in the streets, working at night, looking out for the safety of all," she said.
Yellow loops are a common symbol of support for the release of the pro-independence Catalan leaders who have been held in pretrial detention for months. Yesterday, prosecutors announced they were starting an investigation into the Mossos' decision to identify members of certain groups who were removing such loops from public spaces.
The minister denounced the use of false information about a "violent situation". "Now there are one-off incidents, but all of us who live in Catalonia know they are anecdotal cases which don't represent either the independence movement or the people against independence," she said.
Security Board and loops
Artadi also insisted that public order is exclusively within the jurisdiction of the Catalan government, and that as such the controversial topic of yellow loops shouldn't be discussed during the joint Security Board meeting in the coming days. However, despite thinking they shouldn't be on the agenda for that meeting, she expressed willingness to talk about everything with the Spanish government. "There's no problem with talking about social harmony, whatever the framework," she said.
On that subject, the government's spokesperson reported that they're working together with the Spanish and Catalan interior ministries on both the date and the agenda. "We understand that the Security Board has to happen in any case, because there are crucial topics", she said. Among these topics, she highlighted the Mossos being able to join bodies like CITCO (Intelligence Centre for Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime), agreed upon last year but not yet implemented.
Spanish interior minister Marlaska maintains his intention to discuss the controversy of yellow loops in public spaces in the meeting.
Countrywide standstill
On the "countrywide standstill" proposed by the Catalan National Assembly to commemorate the first anniversary of the 1st October independence referendum, Artadi was cautious. She said that they will make a statement when they have more details.
During today's cabinet meeting, the first after the summer break, president Quim Torra told his ministers the key points of the speech he is to give on 4th September to start the new political year, which they endorsed.
Artadi also communicated their sympathy to the family and friends of the historian Josep Fontana, who died today.