Barcelona prosecutors have launched an investigation into allegations against Ramón Flecha, a professor at the University of Barcelona (UB), and his research group, CREA, following a complaint filed by the UB on December 22nd. According to sources, the Fiscalía admits the complaint and is initiating an investigation to determine if the case will proceed to court, and if so, what charges will be filed.
The UB announced on December 22nd that its internal report had detected “very serious” facts potentially constituting “conducts of sexual coercion, psychological coercion, mistreatment, personal and professional exploitation, as well as degrading and intimidating behaviors,” suggesting the existence of a “high-control coercive group.” Despite the center not yet concluding its internal investigation, it decided to forward its initial report to the Fiscalía as a precautionary measure. The following day, CREA announced its dissolution.
What are the key allegations? The University of Barcelona’s internal report details potential instances of sexual coercion, psychological abuse, and exploitation within the CREA research group.
Sources at the Barcelona Fiscalía confirm that the investigation will be carried out by the newly established section dedicated to cases of sexual violence, as well as violence against children and adolescents.
In addition to the complaint to the Fiscalía, the UB removed three other professors linked to the CREA group. Ramón Flecha was already suspended as an emeritus professor last July, after an investigation revealed testimony from several subordinates alleging that Flecha coerced them into sexual acts, massages, or domestic tasks while their professional careers depended on him. It was then that the University of Barcelona initiated its internal investigation.
As part of the precautionary measures, the UB has also frozen the academic and professional merits under suspicion by the investigation of the CREA group, so that, for the time being, they are not taken into account in the selection processes for teaching staff. It also includes measures of psychological support for all those affected at the center, as well as the transfer of information about the case to other universities where the research group has a presence.
The report that the UB presented to the Fiscalía contains testimony from 16 people and includes a psychological expert evaluation of the reliability of the testimonies.
