Undercover Spanish police officer infiltrated pro-independence and housing rights groups

An undercover Spanish police officer, who went by the fake name of Marc Hernàndez Pon, infiltrated left-wing pro-independence and housing rights groups such as the SEPC student union or Resistim al Gòtic for two years, according to a report penned by Jesús Rodríguez that was published by Directa magazine on Tuesday.

The officer, identified only by his initials I. J. E. G, created a new online identity towards the end of 2019 before becoming involved in activist movements in June 2020 – these accounts, however, were deleted shortly after Rodríguez's article came out – and for two years, he participated in protests, press conferences, and activist meetings.

On May 4, the article alleges, I. J. E. G was one of the Batec youth group activists who duct-taped ticket barriers open at Barcelona's Arc de Triomf train station as part of a fare-dodging protest against Renfe's "disastrous" commuter services, and was filmed by public broadcaster TV3.

Desenes de persones es colen a Rodalies com a protesta: "Si Madrid no paga, no paguem"https://t.co/gJEe9GPpXP pic.twitter.com/QKszSS2GMT

— 324.cat (@324cat) May 4, 2022

The Alerta Solidària SEPC, Arran, COS, Endavant groups, and CUP party released a joint statement in the wake of these revelations calling the infiltration "unacceptable" and claiming their fundamental rights had been violated.

According to them, this was part of "the state's operation against pro-independence grassroots groups" and an attack on their "legal activities."

SEPC and Alerta Solidària have announced they are considering legal action but say they have "little faith" in the legal system.