Judge Nuria Ruiz Tobarra reports intimidation in DANA investigation

Judge Nuria Ruiz Tobarra has reported a campaign of defamation and intimidation against her following her investigation into the DANA catastrophe, which resulted in 233 deaths. In documents presented to the General Council of the Judiciary (CGPJ), the magistrate detailed public insults and threats aimed at undermining her judicial legitimacy and influencing the investigation.

The reports highlight aggressive rhetoric from various actors, including YouTuber and lawyer Rubén Gisbert, who has publicly accused the judge of involvement in the “greatest judicial corruption of our time” and suggested she would not be able to walk the streets peacefully. The judge stated, “As a judge, I cannot act or refrain from acting out of fear.”

In a related development within the legal proceedings, Emilio Argüeso, the former second-in-command of Emergency Services, is seeking to testify again. His defense aims to address new evidence gathered over the 18 months since his initial statement in April 2025. Argüeso’s legal team has also submitted an appeal explicitly stating that former counselor Salomé Pradas bears no criminal responsibility for the tragedy.