28 people were sent to the Nador prosecutor's office for attempted irregular migration to Melilla. Informed judicial sources told EFE that until Sunday, May 23, 50 people were arrested for trying to cross the border fence as a group. The 28 prosecuted are among them, while the minors have been returned to their families.
The Spanish news agency reported that fourteen of the defendants were released on bail after. Their trial will begin on June 8. They face charges of «illegal immigration, disobedience and damage to public property». The same source notes that it has been less common to observe trials against people for attempted migration in recent years. Often, it is members of human trafficking networks exploiting migrants who are prosecuted.
In recent days, several attempts to enter Melilla have been recorded at the border. On the night of Wednesday to Thursday, around 100, including women and minors, tried in vain to cross the fence.
During the night of Tuesday to Wednesday, 40 people from sub-Saharan Africa were prevented from crossing the fence. For their part, 86 others out of 300 managed to cross in the early hours of Tuesday. On Friday, 70 Moroccans managed to enter Melilla. During the night, 30 entered, according to the prefecture of the enclave.
The Spanish Ministry of Interior announced the return of these nationals to Morocco, with the exception of asylum seekers. These crossings took place in the middle of a diplomatic crisis between Morocco and Spain.