Justice can never be exercised under the yoke of fear. It is a fragment of the manifesto that was read this afternoon in Badajoz at the rally in support of Beatriz Biedma, the judge who investigated the case of the brother of the President of the Government and who suffered throughout the investigation process pressure, monitoring of her and her family and an attempt to extort and want to "eliminate" her, according to the testimony of the head of one of the most important family clans in Badajoz, to whom they proposed doing "physical harm" to her.
Around 250 people have gathered in front of the Badajoz Court, where this case of the hiring of David Sánchez in the Badajoz Provincial Council was judged last June, in a popular initiative launched by Luis García Doncel, spokesperson for "a group of friends" - who has already created a Facebook page for this purpose - with the intention of giving support to the judge's work and condemning, in turn, "the negative image" that, in his opinion, the city", due to the cases of "harassment" towards her that are being known in the media. The call was scheduled for October 29 but was postponed out of respect for the victims and relatives of the tragic train accident in Urda (Toledo).
The promoter of this movement has clarified that the concentration was not conditioned by "political acronyms" and only sought to "defend judicial independence and support the judge."
Furthermore, he added that "beyond the participation figures, the important thing is that Biedma feels the support of the citizens and that Spain observes that Badajoz supports justice and democracy." In this sense, Doncel has clarified that the judge contacted him when the date of the appointment was made public to thank him for the call.
The manifesto read this afternoon wanted to underline "to convey to the country that Badajoz is far from representing the negative image that all the episodes of harassment of the judge have generated." In parallel, the music of the song 'Libre' by Nino Bravo was heard.
In the ideology of this movement, reference is made to "judicial independence, against threats and intimidation" and it is highlighted that "a judge must be able to investigate any crime, regardless of who it affects, without suffering pressure, threats or fear for the safety of her family." In addition, it is added that "Magistrate Beatriz Biedma has reported situations of harassment and possible surveillance while investigating a judicial case with enormous public repercussions. She has recounted her anguish upon learning that unknown people had come to her daughters' school asking about her. And, despite everything, he continued to exercise his responsibility."
In this sense, he adds that "it is difficult to imagine anything more disturbing for a democratic society than a judge having to worry about the safety of her children while trying to fulfill her duty. Judicial decisions can be discussed, appealed and reviewed. That's what laws and courts exist for. "Intimidation can never become an instrument to condition the actions of Justice."
Hence, this movement wanted to promote "a peaceful citizen concentration without partisan acronyms, in support of Beatriz Biedma and all the judges and magistrates who exercise their responsibility independently. We respect the presumption of innocence - they add - and we demand that the complaints be investigated until the facts are clarified and the corresponding responsibilities are determined and we defend a Justice that can investigate the anonymous citizen and those who occupy the highest spheres of power with equal freedom. Because no judge should need bravery to do their job. And no family should have to pay the consequences for doing so."
