Three officers to face proceedings over Sol protest brutality

Three anti-riot police officers are to face disciplinary proceedings over the beating of a 17-year-old girl and a photographer during last Thursday's march by secular demonstrators against police violence in Madrid.

The Interior Ministry - supported by the team of Socialist prime-ministerial candidate Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba - last week opted to open an internal inquiry after a video showing the assaults on the two victims was circulated via the social networks.

Now the director general of the Police and Civil Guard, Francisco Javier Velázquez, has ordered the opening of disciplinary proceedings for serious misdemeanors against the Police Intervention Unit officers involved — the officer responsible for the assault and his two immediate superiors. The focus of the inquiry is the possible use of excessive force in the exercising of their duties during last Thursday's protest, which had been called to demonstrate against alleged assaults by officers on participants in the previous day's secular march against the cost of the pope's visit to Madrid for World Youth Day (WYD).

According to the National Police's disciplinary rules, a serious misdemeanor is described as an "abuse of powers" and carries with it a punishment of a five-day to a three-month suspension. Such conduct could be considered a "very serious" misdemeanor - and thus lead to the dismissal of an officer - if it resulted in "serious harm" to the citizen.

The video, which has become an internet phenomenon, shows a group of officers protected with helmets walking along Atocha street near the Puerta del Sol in the capital. Upon coming across a young woman dressed in white - Katerina M., 17 - one of them slaps her without saying a word. The minor falls backwards and bangs against a shop window. Then a friend carries her off while she shouts at her assaulters.

Afterwards, several police officers used their batons to hit photographer Daniel Nuevo, who was taking pictures of the beatings received by Katerina and her friend. Nuevo, who has issued a complaint in the Madrid courts, says he identified himself as a journalist. If the judge decides to admit the complaint, the internal inquiry could be delayed until the trial is concluded.

After hearing the news of the disciplinary proceedings, the police unions came out in force against the Interior Ministry's decision. The secretary general of the SUP, Felipe Brihuega, told Europa Press that the ministry had given in "to media pressure" and that there were also demonstrators "who were excessive with the officers."

Even tougher words came from the CEP's number two, Lorenzo Nebrera, who accused the ministry and the Socialists of having taken "a cowards' decision" and of starting a "witch hunt."