Court closes investigation against Barcelona mayor

Prosecutors have archived the investigation against Ada Colau for alleged irregular subsidies granted to social entities after finding no evidence of criminality.

The case was brought to the prosecutor’s office by a group named Catalan Lawyers for the Constitution in March. 

The entity accused the mayor of awarding grants outside of public procurement procedures to social entities such as the DESC Observatory who work on preserving social rights, the PAH platform that focuses on housing issues, the Alliance against Energy Poverty, and Engineering Without Borders.

As soon as the complaints were accepted in March, Colau denied there was a cause and said she would collaborate with justice authorities should that be necessary. She also defended that the subsidies granted by her council were done respecting the law. 

The mayor added it is "indisputable" that these entities do "essential" work in the city. "We have nothing to hide," she said at the time.