The case against the former mayor of Capdepera for workplace harassment has been reopened.

PalmThe First Section of the Provincial Court of the Balearic Islands has ordered the reopening of the legal case against the former mayor of Capdepera, Rafael Fernández Mallol, and a former chief of the town's local police force for alleged crimes of workplace harassment and administrative misconduct. The court also upheld the dismissal of the case against the other individuals under investigation. The proceedings began following a complaint filed by a Capdepera local police officer, who reported to the court a series of actions that, in his opinion, constituted coercion, degrading treatment, workplace harassment, and arbitrary administrative decisions by municipal officials and police commanders. The events allegedly occurred after the officer applied for a permanent civil service position.

According to the complainant's account, since 2018 he has been subjected to a continuous pattern of pressure, rumors, detrimental decisions, and actions that he interprets as personal and professional persecution, with serious consequences for both his psychological health and his career.

Evidence of persecution

According to the court's ruling, after the officer was declared suitable by the selection panel in the competitive examination, there are indications of possible persecution, abuse of power, and overreach, with the intentional aim of thwarting his professional career. The judges also point to discriminatory treatment compared to other applicants who passed the same process. The court believes that the existence of criminally relevant organizational harassment can be assessed, or at least cannot be completely ruled out. In this regard, the judges state that it "makes no sense" that, if the officer was deemed unsuitable for appointment as a career civil servant, he was allowed to continue performing the same duties as a temporary employee. Possible direct interest of the former mayor

The ruling also highlights the former mayor's direct interest in the case and the proceedings against the complainant. According to the court, the former mayor was responsible for publicizing alleged directives issued by the mayor's office stipulating that overtime pay for officers would depend on the number of traffic violations issued—a criterion that was not documented and which would reinforce the evidence of wrongdoing. Furthermore, the transfer of the officer to a municipal building in Cala Rajada, which houses the registry, social services, and library, did not, according to the court, respond to an objective organizational need, but rather constituted a demotion and a veiled form of punishment. In conclusion, the judges consider that there are actions and circumstances that support, as evidence, the existence of alleged abuse of power and workplace harassment, as well as degrading treatment aimed at humiliating the complainant.

Now it will be up to the Court of Instruction number 3 of Manacor to rule on the relevance and admissibility of the investigative measures requested by the prosecution, with complete freedom of judgment. No appeal may be lodged against this decision.