The Lleida Court of Instance number 2 has issued the ruling acquitting Manel Ezquerra, a current member of the Parliament, of charges filed by two Alcarràs Local Police officers. The prosecution, represented by lawyer Daniel Ibars, had sought a six-month fine and compensation totaling nearly 11,000 euros for the two officers. The judicial resolution is not final and can be appealed before the Audiència de Lleida.
“"Ezquerra's attitudes cannot be considered constitutive of the criminal offenses for which the present proceedings have been followed."
The judge, however, noted that the accused incurred in “actions reprehensible in every respect from the point of view of a civilized society,” suggesting they could be subject to administrative or labor sanctions. The events date back to June 30, 2021, when Ezquerra was deputy mayor, and involved two incidents with a Local Police patrol.
In the first incident, during an argument with a neighbor, the officers reported that Ezquerra insulted them with expressions like “You never do anything, your performance is terrible, you are finished,” and threatened them with disciplinary action. The judge determined that the versions were contradictory and uncorroborated. In the second incident, at the police station, it was proven that he uttered insults such as “you are useless” or “you are a thug,” but this was considered a reciprocal “exchange of words and gestures,” rather than intimidation.
Following the events, the two police officers took sick leave for 55 and 290 days respectively, and stated that they had to leave the Alcarràs police force. The judge acknowledged the physical and psychological impact that the events had on the complainants, without questioning it.
