The environmental organisation Verdemar–Ecologistas en Acción reports that yesterday, 15 December 2025, it received notification that Investigation Proceedings no. 560/25, opened by the Provincial Public Prosecutor’s Office of Málaga, have been shelved. The proceedings concerned works carried out in the Sector Plan Parcial El Hacho, Phase 2, in the area surrounding the Castillo de la Duquesa Archaeological Site, declared a Bien de Interés Cultural (BIC, Asset of Cultural Interest) and Archaeological Zone by Decree 86/2025.
Verdemar points out that Manilva Town Hall publicly released, on 11 September, favourable information about the actions of SEPRONA before the complaining organisation had official knowledge of the proceedings, presenting it as a supposed guarantee that the works were lawful.
This conduct raises concern about the confidentiality of investigations and the political use of confidential information, given that the Public Prosecutor’s proceedings were open and ongoing.
For this reason, Verdemar has today sent a letter to the Public Prosecutor’s Office requesting the opening of an investigation to establish how and why the Town Hall learned of the information in the proceedings beforehand, and to ensure that the principle of confidentiality in judicial proceedings is upheld.
The organisation reiterates that its priority is the protection of the historical and archaeological heritage and the defence of legality and transparency in all actions affecting the Castillo de la Duquesa Archaeological Site.
