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The use of taser pistols from the Ertzaintza increases from two to twelve in four years

  • Between 2018 and 2022, the Ertzaintza used this weapon at least 32 times. In 2017 the government allocated EUR 50,687 for the purchase of taser guns. In recent months dozens of people have been injured by the Ertzainas in eleven police burdens.
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05 April 2024 - 11:12

In recent months, at least seven people have been injured by the Ertzaintza with foam shots: three in San Sebastian (Gipuzkoa) before a Real Sociedad match, one in Vitoria (Álava) at the demonstration on 3 March and three in the Carnival of Tolosa (Gipuzkoa). However, in other police charges, the Ertzainas have wounded many more people, among others, by assaulting them to blows, as happened in Vitoria on the anniversary of 3 March, or in the same city last weekend, in an act of protest against the inability to emancipate, which has violently attacked many young people.

As if this were not enough, last month the death of Eneko Valdés, who died last February in Astigarraga (Gipuzkoa) on the occasion of a psychotic outbreak in which the Ertzaintza intervened violently and violently. Autopsies and images show the multiple injuries caused by police to Eneko, and according to experts in contact with their relatives, the Ertzainas also used taser guns against the maple.

Using Taser pistols, above

As Ahoztar Zelaieta explained on the Hordago portal in 2021, after attending a police station at the Ertzaintza in Bilbao (Bizkaia), the Ararteko Angel Gabilondo requested a report on the use of taser guns. Within this use included, for example, the removal of such weapon from its portfolio with a "deterrent" character and the "activation" of the device, the "warning arc switch" or the direct shooting against someone. He also asked whether these shot people were taken to a health facility for examination by a doctor.

The Basque Government Department of Security replied that the Mobile Brigade was the only one who used taser guns and recorded all the video interventions. He said the use of this weapon increased between 2018 and 2022 in four years: Ertzainas used taser weapons twice in 2018 and twelve times in 2022. According to these official data, they were used five times in 2019, six times in 2020 and seven times in 2021.

The Department of Security informed Ararteko that a medical report has subsequently been issued to all gunmen. However, Operational Order 011, which regulates the use of taser weapons, states that the Ertzaintza should promptly warn people who are going to throw these pistols of their presence and possible use. The Ombudsman said, however, that it has been noted that the Ertzaines have not done so in many cases.

Protocols and silence

Zelaieta also spoke in Hordago about the protocol on Taser pistols. To regulate the use of this weapon, the Security Department relied on the report of a foam shell supplier: Andreu Soler i Associats. This letter was kept secret.

Journalist Ter García reported last January that the government was hiding information on the regulatory protocol on the use of taser guns. Hordago announced that the Basque Commission for Access to Public Information, in September 2023, considered "dangerous" the publication of information on these "action procedures" of the Ertzaintza for the "effectiveness of the interventions of the agents".

Purchases over EUR 50,000

In 2017 the Security Department made a first purchase of Taser X26 pistols, for an amount of 50,687 euros. According to Zelaieta, Telefónica sold sixteen pistols with small built-in cameras last year to the government. These weapons are from the Taser X7 model.


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