Two young women investigated for causing damage to five real estate agencies in Santa Maria (Mallorca) have stated this Tuesday before the Justice that, at the time of their arrest, they suffered pressure from agents of the Civil Guard to acknowledge their involvement in the events.
The investigated have given testimony before the Court of First Instance, Instruction section plaza 12 of Palma, where they voluntarily appeared assisted by lawyer Josep de Luis. After their arrest on July 15, both had invoked their right not to testify either in the Civil Guard's premises or before the court, subsequently being released.
The lawyer argues that there are circumstances that could invalidate the agents' actions and lead to the case being archived, as he understands that fundamental rights may have been violated. As he explained, after being arrested, the young women did not have a direct conversation with any lawyer, but rather did so, "in the presence of agents, and through a hands-free phone."
Furthermore, always according to this version, the guards would have compelled them to hand over certain clothing items to link them to the damages, under the warning that, otherwise, searches would be carried out in their homes or the detention situation would be prolonged.
Regarding the images captured by security cameras, the defense is also studying their possible challenge, considering that they do not limit themselves to focusing on the facade of the establishments, but rather record a significant part of the public road.
It is worth remembering that the two activists were arrested in mid-July as alleged responsible for crimes of damage and against historical heritage, following several complaints filed after the vandalization of five real estate agencies in the municipality of Santa Maria.