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The Mar Menor makes history with its own representatives in court
This is the first trial of its kind since the Mar Menor was granted legal personhood in 2022
Three and a half years after the Spanish Parliament recognised the legal personality of the Mar Menor and its basin, and a year after the Council of Ministers set the rules for its representative bodies, the lagoon made history in court. For the first time ever, the Mar Menor had its own legal representatives at trial.
The Mar Menor Alliance Association (Amarme) acted as the private prosecutor in the case against a farmer accused of dumping 70,500 cubic metres of nitrate-rich water from an illegal desalination plant in 2015 and 2016. The wastewater, released through a pipeline, reached the lagoon and caused serious environmental damage.
The farmer admitted guilt and agreed to a suspended prison sentence of one year, three months and two days, provided he does not reoffend within two years. He also agreed to pay a fine of around €900 and compensation totalling €26,755.34 to the State and regional government.
In addition, he is banned for nine months and one day from farming or managing agricultural businesses.
Despite the conviction, the trial ended in controversy. Amarme’s lawyer, Sergio Marco, plans to appeal, arguing that a plea agreement between the farmer’s lawyer and the Public Prosecutor’s Office was illegal because the private prosecution had objected. Mr Marco also said the court summoned him only an hour before the hearing, forcing him to participate via video call.
The Prosecutor’s Office defended the agreement, saying the sentences were “exemplary.” Amarme, however, wants tougher penalties to prevent future attacks on this environmental jewel.
This trial marks a major milestone in protecting the Mar Menor, showing that the lagoon now has legal rights and can defend itself in court, setting a precedent for future environmental cases in Spain.
Image: ILP
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