The investigation into the catastrophic flood in Valencia, which claimed the lives of hundreds, is ongoing. Recently, the judge overseeing the case declined to include interviews that the president of the autonomous community, Carlos Mazón, gave to several media outlets as evidence. According to the judge, such statements cannot substitute for official testimony in court and hold no legal weight.
In his interviews, Mazón tried to explain the authorities’ actions during the critical hours when the disaster struck the region. However, the judge found that his words resembled fiction more than an accurate account of events. She emphasized that any attempts to justify or accuse someone must be substantiated within the judicial process, not in the public sphere.
Relatives of the victims and those affected expressed outrage over the content of the interviews, arguing that they distort the facts and downplay the authorities’ responsibility. They reminded everyone that the hydrological alert in one of the key areas was not lifted on the day of the tragedy, and the warning of a possible threat came too late. Additionally, the judge noted that there was no information blackout from meteorologists and hydrologists, as Mazón claimed.
The court also requested official documents from relevant agencies confirming actions taken in preparation for the emergency, as well as video recordings showing discussions of response measures. At the same time, the judge declined to summon certain witnesses and to accept additional materials that, in her opinion, do not contribute to establishing the facts.
During the proceedings, the judge has twice invited Mazon to testify in person, but he has not yet exercised this right. The trial is ongoing, and new decisions on the case are expected soon.
