Apr 25 - RGP Statement On Alleged Incident With Guardia Civil
The Royal Gibraltar Police notes Spanish press reports quoting Guardia Civil Union sources claiming that a GC officer has been injured following an incident with the Royal Gibraltar Police in British Gibraltar Territorial Waters yesterday.
Shortly after 1140hrs the 24th April the RGP marine section duty crew deployed to the western end of the runway after they detected a fast moving unidentified RHIB in the area. On inspection the vessel turned out to be a Guardia Civil RHIB taking executive action, outside their jurisdiction, and within BGTW. On arrival the RGP crew observed how the Guardia Civil RHIB had stopped a small, white open topped boat and was arranging to take it on tow. A Guardia Civil officer was on the vessel along with the occupants of the fishing boat, a second Guardia Civil officer remaining aboard the Guardia Civil RHIB.
The RGP crew went alongside the Guardia Civil RHIB to question their actions. At no point did the RGP vessel come into contact with either the Guardia Civil RHIB or the open topped boat being towed by the said Guardia Civil RHIB. Following the verbal exchange the Guardia Civil proceeded to tow the vessel into Spanish waters.
The RGP also notes comments now being attributed by the Spanish news agency EFE to an official Guardia Civil spokesperson. The said spokesperson has denied the incident as described by the Guardia Civil union and stated that there was no collision with the RGP vessel. The spokesperson added that the injury sustained by the Guardia Civil officer was sustained as he jumped aboard the intercepted vessel.
