The Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council has dismissed the head of Civil Protection, Santiago Carlos Martín, who is currently in provisional detention facing allegations of facilitating clandestine immigration and committing multiple sexual assault and harassment offences. He has also been expelled from his role as a volunteer.
The Councillor for Security and Emergencies of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Gladis de León, signed a decree on Tuesday that encompasses both resolutions.
This decree appoints the current deputy chief of the group, José Ramón de León González, who has volunteered for over 15 years, to temporarily oversee its management.
The local authority states that out of respect for the presumption of innocence of the accused, this action follows his entry into custody, and is also based on “various infractions identified against both local and regional regulations governing the operation of these Civil Protection groups.”
Moreover, “the harm” inflicted on “the image of the volunteer group within the capital, whose members deserve better, and to whom the councillor has already expressed her full support to continue their vital work daily,” has been considered.
The Department of Security and Emergencies has requested to “disassociate” Santiago Carlos Martín from the “routine and crucial activities” that volunteering contributes to the residents of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
Previously, the local council had chosen to suspend the former head of the Civil Protection Group from his responsibilities until his legal circumstances were clarified.
Last Friday, the magistrate on duty in Santa Cruz de Tenerife decided to remand him in provisional custody without bail as the suspected perpetrator of human trafficking offences for the purpose of servitude.
