Ceuta Official Summoned Over Controversial Repatriation of Migrant Minors to Morocco

Salvadora Mateos is being summoned for having authorized the return of these minors, who entered Ceuta illegally on May 17 and 18, causing an unprecedented migration crisis. Accused of falsifying administrative documents, she is invited to testify on December 13, judicial sources tell EFE. The government delegate in Ceuta could be prosecuted if the prosecutor’s office manages to find sufficient evidence of violations of the texts during the repatriations of minors to Morocco last August.

This summons follows the decision of the National Court condemning these "illegal" returns as well as the Ministry of the Interior for having ordered this operation. In total, more than 50 minors had already been repatriated in groups of fifteen to Morocco, before the judge suspended these returns. For the judges of the National Court, the responsibility for the returns of unaccompanied minors lies with the government delegation in Ceuta, in accordance with the legislation in force.