A week ago it became known, through the Number, that the City of Vitoria-Gasteiz applied the Moorish Law to three citizens for hanging the ikurrina of a lantern. One of the three condemned persons explained to Alea what happened: on the morning of April 1, on the eve of Aberri Eguna, two Municipal Police patrols approached them to identify them while hanging the ikurrina in a streetcar in the Salinillas Park of Buradon, in the Zabalgana neighborhood. A neighbour reportedly made an anonymous call to warn the police that the ikurrina was being hanged for unknown reasons. After the slight violation of Article 31.13 of the Moorish Law by the Department of Citizen Security, the City Hall of Vitoria-Gasteiz imposed a fine of 100 euros for "damage or deteriorate movable or immovable property for use or public service".

In a week, those convicted under the Moorish Law have received a fine of 300 euros each, for "damaging or deteriorating movable or immovable property for use or public service". According to Alea, these fines have been transferred through the Department of Territorial and Climatic Action led by Councilor Ana Oregon (PNV), claiming that they have committed a minor infringement of Article 147.1 of the Municipal Waste Cleaning and Collection and Transport Ordinance. It shows, among the minor infringements, the following example: “The placement of posters, banners, banners, stickers or the like for a maximum of 10 copies, without prior notification or outside the places expressly authorized or established by the City Hall”.

With three fines of EUR 300 each, it is intended to oblige those who hung the ikurrina to pay EUR 900 more. In addition to the previous fines, the City of Vitoria-Gasteiz requires EUR 1,200 for the municipal coffers. “The Mordaza Law is not enough and the City Hall has multiplied the amount to be paid by four,” one of the three condemned in statements to Alea has denounced.

All three have already resorted to traffic fines based on the Moorish Law and, although they are analysing the details, they intend to appeal also in the case of the new fines.