A woman in southeastern Spain who posted on Facebook a photo of a police auto parked in a handicapped spot is now facing a fine of nearly $900 under a controversial new law.
Advertisement
Under the Citizen Security Law, what police consider the “unauthorised use of images of police officers that might jeopardise their or their family’s safety or that of protected facilities or police operations” is prohibited.
Responding to questions from local media about why the cops had parked in the space, a police spokesperson said they’d been responding to a report of vandalism taking place in a nearby park, and that in such an emergency situation officers have to park wherever they can in order to ensure a timely response. He added that in urgent situations the police have to park where they can.
Spaniards have nicknamed the Public Safety Act the “gag” law, and with good reason if it means a photo of police wrongdoing (whether authorised or not) can result in a fine. He now faces a fine of between €100 and €600.
According to spokesman Fernando Portillo working for the local police, the woman was fined because the officers considered their “honor had been attacked”.
But within two days police had tracked her down and fined her €800 under Spain’s new Citizens Security Law, it has been reported. The city chose to impose a fine, although, as the spokesman claimed, they would have preferred “a different solution”.
Advertisement
The gagging law, which also prohibits demonstrations in the vicinity of parliament or the senate, has been publicly condemned by the activists and human rights groups ever since it was introduced earlier this year. “But now we’re seeing it in the distinct context of social protest”.
