Forensic experts from the Mossos d'Esquadra's Scientific Police have concluded that the National Police officer accused of blinding activist Roger Español did not aim directly at him during the 1-O 2017 events. In testimony given Wednesday at Barcelona's High Court of Justice, the Photography and Audiovisual Unit stated that the firearm was "inclined" and "pointing at the ground" when discharged. The experts confirmed the rubber bullet struck the ground first and ricocheted into Español's face, causing the loss of vision in his right eye. They calculated the distance between officer and victim at 14.12 metres, below the internationally recommended minimum of 25 metres for such projectiles, though exceptions are permitted in extreme circumstances.

Field of Vision Partially Blocked, No Barrel Alignment

The Mossos' analysis showed the shooter's field of view was partially obstructed by fellow officers at the time of firing. The experts reviewed multiple video sources from the area around Ramon Llull School in Barcelona's Sardenya Street and determined the accused fired only one rubber bullet. Neil Corney of the Omega Research Foundation, an international expert organisation advising the UN on crowd-control weapons, supported the prosecution's argument that the shot was dangerously close and poorly aimed. He stated the officer "did not look in the direction of the barrel" and moved approximately one metre closer to Español just before firing, further reducing the distance.

The rest of the shotguns in the area were lowered and aimed through their sights to control the bounce height. This one was not.

Corney contrasted the officer's actions with those of other riot officers present, who followed protocol by aiming their shotguns correctly to limit injury risk.

Final Trial Day Set for 1 October

The trial, now in its final phase, will resume Thursday, 1 October 2026, the ninth anniversary of the incident. The four accused officers, including the shooter and three commanders, will give their testimonies. They face up to 13 years in prison if convicted of grievous bodily harm. The prosecution argues the shot was intentional and punitive, describing it as a "reprisal", a term Español himself used during his earlier testimony. The defence maintains the officers' safety was at risk due to violent acts and verbal harassment from protesters, and has requested courtroom screening of footage showing demonstrators blocking police vans removing ballot boxes. Civil Guard and National Police representatives testified Wednesday that the police operation near Ramon Llull School was "appropriate" and conducted under threat.

Primary sources: dsp.interior.gencat.cat. Reported by en.ara.cat, ACN, elnacional.cat, publico.es, elmundo.es, Diari ARA.