Iberdrola cut the electricity supply to the Errekaleor district on May 18, 2017 by order of the Department of Industry of the Basque Government. Two journalists from radio Hala Bedi (here you can see all the work they did that day) were informed of the police operation carried out by the citizens, who responded with peaceful resistance. Journalist Mikel Sáenz de Buruaga did his job when he was attacked by an ertzaina and tore his cell phone. In addition, the journalist was sentenced to a prison sentence imposed by Ertzaintza agents on the same day.

 

 

 

 

EUR 602 fine for "disobedience or resistance to authority"

In July 2017, the journalist received a statement from the Basque Government accusing him of violating the Law mordaza.Hala. Bedi has stated that the application of the Mordaza Law is based on "a false report by the Ertzaintza" and has strongly criticized the Basque Government for "applying an unfair law that violates civil and political rights, when the Basque Parliament did not commit itself to it. He has also been accused of "giving institutional support to the police assembly", in which ArcelorMittal participated. - How can it not appear in the reports that he is a journalist when he displayed his journalist card? ". "At no time did the ertzaina take office for improper conduct of the journalist," Hala Bedi said in statements to journalists at the beginning of the investigation into this case.

In the face of the fine, Hala Bedi's assembly decided to disobey her, not to pay her, and to institute the necessary resources to do so, because "this law is unfair and the facts imputed are false".

The administrative procedure for claims has been exhausted

After six official notifications and five appeals, on 28 March the Department of Security of the Basque Government informed the journalist of the resolution confirming the sanction imposed. Hala Bedi has defined the path as '' Kafkaesque '', and has emphasized its importance. The broadcaster alleges that the right to defence has been violated by not taking into account the evidence provided or the testimonies of direct witnesses who questioned the version of the Ertzaintza or the audiovisual material. Hala Bedi denounces that "the dossier does not prove the actions he wishes to sanction. The Department of Security goes so far as to deny that Sáenz de Buruaga showed the journalist card, which is huge, it should also appear in the internal communications of the Ertzainas", since, according to Hala Bedi's information, the Ertzainas took him the journalist card and the ID for a while.

First of all, Hala Bedi has called a concentration before the court and has ratified its role: "We're going to continue to do our work, that's our greatest disobedience to this injustice. We won't calm down, we won't mess up. For us, for all."