Spanish judge opens preliminary probe into mass migrant crossings at Ceuta

· SocietyPolitics ESPMAR
Part of EU says Schengen integrity preserved after Ceuta crisis as commissioner warns of border reliance on neighbours
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A National Court judge has opened preliminary proceedings into the mass migrant crossings into Ceuta, requesting a police report on whether the July 30–31 surge constituted an organised criminal operation. Judge María Tardón acted on a criminal complaint by Iustitia Europa alleging offences against state security, human trafficking, and failure to pursue crimes, after tens of thousands entered the enclave from Morocco in a crisis that has already strained ties between Madrid and Rabat.

The government dismissed a National Security Department official after an internal estimate of roughly 49,000 arrivals was briefly published online and then withdrawn. The Interior Ministry has placed the total at around 50,000 irregular entries.

Domestic fallout is mounting: the opposition Popular Party has suggested it would refuse to accept unaccompanied minors relocated from Ceuta and called for the interior and defence ministers to step down, while Vox leader Santiago Abascal rejected a government pledge of 25 million euros for migrant children. The Valencian regional government warned its child-protection system is already overwhelmed ahead of any transfers.

Story development

  1. Migrant dies in paraglider attempt as Moroccan rights group raises border death toll to 141
  2. EU says Schengen integrity preserved after Ceuta crisis as commissioner warns of border reliance on neighbours
  3. Spain allocates €25 million for Ceuta minors as youth minister plans visit
  4. Spanish judge opens preliminary probe into mass migrant crossings at Ceuta
  5. Spain and Morocco clash over death toll as Ceuta migrant surge tops 60,000
  6. Moroccan footballer dies swimming to Ceuta as death toll in border crisis reaches 67
  7. Death toll nears 100 as Spain deploys sea barrier in Ceuta migrant crisis
  8. Czech politicians demand Schengen closure for Spain as Ceuta migrant toll rises to 57
  9. France tightens Spanish border as tens of thousands reach Ceuta from Morocco
  10. Over 1,500 migrants swim into Ceuta in a week, overwhelming reception centers

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