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# Trial of 1-O Police Officers Begins, Prosecution Seeks Acquittal
- URL: https://barna.news/trial-of-1-o-police-officers-begins/
- Published: 2026-09-14T07:41:12.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-14T07:41:12.000Z
- Description: Four National Police officers face trial over the 2017 eye injury of voter Roger Español, as prosecutors call for their acquittal.
- Author: Brandon Watea
- Tags: crime

## Only Trial Over 1-O Violence Proceeds After Nine Years

The trial of four National Police officers accused of causing serious injury during the 1 October 2017 independence referendum began on Wednesday, 13 September 2026, at the Barcelona Provincial Court. It marks the only criminal proceeding to reach court over police conduct that day, nine years after the events. The officers are accused of causing permanent eye damage to Roger Español, a 30-year-old man who lost his eye after being struck by a rubber bullet. While over 300 individuals have benefited from Spain’s recent amnesty law, including 129 police and Civil Guard officers charged in connection with 1-O operations, these four remain unamnestied due to the severity of the alleged injury.

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## Prosecution Backs Police, Cites Judicial Orders

In a significant development, the State Prosecutor’s Office has requested the full acquittal of the officers. Prosecutors argue the use of force was justified under their duty to comply with judicial orders to seize ballot materials during the banned referendum. This position aligns with the officers’ defence teams and contradicts the demands of the private prosecution, led by lawyers representing Español and civil society groups. The private prosecution is seeking a 13-year prison sentence for the officers, accusing them of disproportionate and unlawful force.

> The acusación pública rema a favor de las defensas.

According to evidence submitted by the Mossos d'Esquadra (Catalan regional police), the officer who fired the shot that injured Español discharged his weapon twice during the incident. The forensic report confirms the rubber bullet caused irreversible damage to his right eye.

### Victim Awaits Justice

Roger Español has become a symbolic figure in calls for accountability over police actions during the 2017 referendum, when Spanish national forces intervened to halt the vote. He held a press conference in June 2026 reaffirming his demand for justice, stating the injury has had lasting physical and psychological consequences.

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*Reported by eldiario.es.*

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