The judge investigating the case has imposed a restraining order on two educators of the Emeki-Emeki center, a private “free school” in San Sebastian, after being denounced for an alleged sexual assault on a four-year-old girl. The precautionary measure has been issued after both gave their statements and were released, although they continue to be investigated in the case, which is still under investigation.
Arrest and prosecution
The arrests of the two teachers took place on Monday morning in San Sebastian and Hondarribia, where they live. The Ertzaintza temporarily closed the school to collect evidence before transferring the arrested women to the police station, from where they were taken to court.
This Tuesday, the judge took statements from the defendants, who have strongly denied the accusations. The victim and her younger brother, who acted as a witness, also testified in a pre-constituted evidence procedure with the assistance of the court’s psychosocial team.
Both the Prosecutor’s Office and the private prosecution, exercised by the girl’s family, requested the restraining order, a measure that was granted before the release of the defendants.
An alternative center with no link to Education
The Emeki-Emeki center, located in the Aiete neighborhood, operates in Villa Landetxe, a municipally-owned building ceded to the Catalina de Erauso art club. It is a private school that promotes an education based on the “ecology of human systems” and “emotional self-regulation”, unrelated to the Basque Department of Education, as it covers a non-compulsory stage from 0 to 6 years of age.
The mayor of San Sebastian, Eneko Goia, expressed his “deep concern”, although he asked for “prudence” in a case that is still under investigation. He also assured that the City Council will review the activities that Catalina de Erauso develops in the ceded space.
Support from some families and silence from the center
Meanwhile, those responsible for the center have refused to make statements, although a dozen families of the students have defended the “ethics and professionalism” of the teaching staff and rejected “any insinuation that casts doubt on the integrity” of the educators under investigation.
The case, which has generated a strong commotion in the educational community, is still open and under judicial secrecy, pending further proceedings that may clarify what happened.
