Spanish Judge Seeks WhatsApp and Telegram Messages in Flood Disaster Probe
Valencia, Spain – The judge investigating the management of the devastating dana (atmospheric river) that struck the Valencia region in October 2024 has issued orders to obtain messages exchanged via Telegram and WhatsApp by key officials. The investigation centers on the response to the floods, which resulted in 230 fatalities.
International Cooperation Requested
Nuria Ruiz Tobarra, the judge leading the investigation, has requested a European investigation order for Telegram, directed to its headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. A rogatory commission has been sent to the United States, requesting information from WhatsApp Inc. The aim is to retrieve messages exchanged on October 29, 2024, the day of the disaster.
Key Individuals Under Scrutiny
The judge is seeking messages involving José Manuel Cuenca, the former chief of staff to Carlos Mazón, the former president of the Generalitat Valenciana. Other individuals of interest include Salomé Pradas, the former regional minister of Justice and Interior, Emilio Argüeso, her former deputy, Cayetano García, the former regional secretary of the Presidency, Raúl Quilez, and Alberto Martín Moratilla, both former high-ranking officials responsible for Emergency Services.
Mobile Phone Data and Reset Devices
The investigation was prompted after it was determined that Cuenca had reformatted his mobile phone – an iPhone 14 Pro Max – before returning it to the Generalitat in January. The judge has repeatedly requested Cuenca provide the SIM card from his current phone, but attempts to extract data have been unsuccessful.
Investigation into Forata Dam Dismissed
In a separate order, the judge dismissed a request from a private prosecutor to investigate the Forata dam and the Júcar Hydrographic Confederation (CHJ). The judge found no causal link between the dam’s management and the deaths or injuries resulting from the floods, stating the dam did not collapse, overflow, or suffer any breakage.
Witness Summons
The judge has also summoned regional police officers who were on duty at the Generalitat Emergency Coordination Center on October 29, 2024, as well as operators of the Forata dam, to provide testimony.