Echenique, Indicted for Alleged Hate Crime in a Tweet about Priests and Sexual Assaults

The Madrid Investigative Court Number 38 has decided to indict former Podemos deputy Pablo Echenique for an alleged hate crime for posting on the social network X (formerly Twitter) that "it is much more likely for a priest to commit a crime of sexual assault against minors than for a migrant person to commit a crime."

In an order this Wednesday, accessed by Europa Press, the judge considers that, "given the actions taken, the reported facts could constitute an alleged crime of discrimination and hate, it is appropriate to proceed with the steps for the abbreviated procedure," which means it is one step away from going to trial.

Thus, Judge Carlos Valle forwards the case to the Prosecutor's Office and the complainant, in this case Christian Lawyers, so that they "formulate an indictment, requesting the opening of oral proceedings as prescribed by law or the dismissal of the case, without prejudice to them exceptionally requesting the practice of complementary actions they consider essential to formulate the accusation."

The resolution is dated one day after the former deputy denied before the judge that his tweet intended to criminalize all priests.

His intention was "the complete opposite" of what he is accused of, summarized the former deputy this Tuesday after his statement. "In my tweet, I argue that just as it is absurd to criminalize all migrants for crimes some of them might commit, it would be equally absurd to criminalize all priests for crimes some of them have committed," he assured in response to media questions.

Echenique stated that he made this "ironic contrast between two absurdities" in response to comments by the Archbishop of Oviedo, Jesús Sanz, about migrants and that he would tweet it again.

"But at no point am I criminalizing an entire group, nor is it my intention. In fact, my intention is to explain that just as you cannot criminalize all priests, you cannot criminalize all migrants," he maintained.

The former deputy told the media that the case "has no merit" and added that if his message were criminal, "half of Spaniards would have committed very similar crimes."

Echenique also requested that the case be elevated to the Provincial Court of Madrid for dismissal, arguing that he has committed no crime.

ABOGADOS CRISTIANOS CELEBRATES THE INDICTMENT

The president of Christian Lawyers, Polonia Castellanos, applauded the judge's decision and indicated that they trust a trial will finally be opened. "Attacks on Catholics are increasing and it is essential for justice to condemn these acts," she added.

Christian Lawyers reported Echenique for posting that message on May 10 on X, where he added that "from a public safety standpoint, it would be more effective to deport priests than to toughen migration policy."

The former deputy reacted this way to comments about welcoming immigrants by the Archbishop of Oviedo, who said: "Within this overly lenient openness, undesirable people can sneak in."