The trial of former Catalan health officials Alba Vergés and Josep Maria Argimon begins this Tuesday at the Barcelona Provincial Court. Prosecutors are seeking 12-year disqualifications from public office for the defendants, who are accused of administrative prevarication for allegedly delaying COVID-19 vaccinations for National Police and Civil Guard officers stationed in Catalonia during 2021.
Why are former health officials standing trial?
The judicial proceedings stem from a complaint filed by the police unions Jupol and Jucil. These organizations alleged that officers from the National Police and the Civil Guard experienced discrimination in the administration of COVID-19 vaccines compared to members of the Mossos d’Esquadra and local police forces. According to the prosecution’s case, the defendants—including Alba Vergés, Josep Maria Argimon, former Secretary General Marc Ramentol, and former health service director Adrià Comella—intentionally prioritized other groups despite national health guidelines.
What is the prosecution’s argument?
The Public Prosecutor’s office maintains that the accused acted in concert to delay vaccinations for state security forces. Prosecutors point to internal communications, including a message sent on March 24, 2021, by an advisor to Vergés, which stated that the consellera had requested to “stop” the vaccination process for the Guardia Civil and National Police.
Evidence presented by the prosecution notes that by late March 2021, vaccination rates for other security forces in Catalonia were significantly higher:
- Mossos d’Esquadra: 77% vaccinated
- Guàrdia Urbana de Barcelona: 77,9% vaccinated
- Other local police: 68,9% vaccinated
- Barcelona Firefighters: 66,9% vaccinated
The prosecution argues that the defendants were aware that a small minority of Civil Guard officers and National Police officers in the region had received their doses at that time, yet they continued to prioritize age-based criteria that excluded the state officers.
How did the health department defend its actions?
During the instruction phase, Alba Vergés maintained that the decisions were based on technical and sanitary criteria. Vergés stated that the department followed the framework established by the Interterritorial Council of the National Health System. According to this defense, the health department faced a shortage of AstraZeneca doses and opted to prioritize the 60-to-65 age bracket to maximize the efficacy and safety of the available supply, rather than prioritizing specific occupational groups regardless of their age.
What was the outcome of the initial conflict?
The dispute reached the High Court of Justice of Catalonia (TSJC) via a contentious-administrative lawsuit. The court ultimately ordered the Catalan Health Department to vaccinate the state police officers immediately. The ruling required the department to reach the same vaccination proportion as that of the Mossos d’Esquadra within a maximum period of 10 days. Following this judicial mandate, the health department vaccinated 4.806 National Police and Civil Guard officers on May 10, 2021, with remaining doses scheduled for the following week.
What happens next in the trial?
The trial is scheduled to follow a structured timeline at the Barcelona Provincial Court:
- Tuesday: Preliminary issues.
- July 1, 6, and 7: Testimony from witnesses.
- July 10 and onwards: Statements from the accused and presentation of final reports.
- July 15: Expected conclusion of the trial, at which point the case will be considered ready for sentencing.
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