The occupation of empty flats in Barcelona has been a burning problem for years that has been causing spikes in tension that have reached the streets. An example of all its vivid episodes in recent times, for example, in Can Vies or, even more notorious, with the Expropriated Bank in Gracia, which triggered a week of serious riots throughout the city.
Now, the situation is becoming tense in the upper area of the city, in the Bonanova neighborhood, due to the presence of two occupied houses, 'El Kubo' and 'La Ruina', which has been experiencing moments of tension in recent weeks, especially since a concentration of opposing groups began, anti-system protesting against the evictions and close to Vox, CS and Valents, who demand that these occur forcefully so that the occupations end.
The situation has become even worse when Desokupa is supposed to want to intervene to get the eviction. Its owner, Daniel Esteve, promised to throw out the squatters in a video. All this led the Mossos to try to appease the spirits, before there was a new demonstration that could be especially tense. But who is he and what does Desokupa do?
"Experts in Mediation"
According to its portal, Desokupa professionals, led by Esteve, are "specialists in recovering properties through mediation with squatters, tenants, precarious, neighborhood communities, shared flats...". They started their activity in 2016 and, as they point out, since then they have achieved more than 7.600 "successful vacations". "We are the only company in the sector recommended by the state security forces and bodies," they add.
The company, which has operational teams distributed throughout the peninsula but also the Balearic and Canary Islands, also has an international service to act against occupations outside the country. Their legal department, they say, is committed to guaranteeing that the actions comply with the law.
Their modus operandi, according to their website, is to act "tailored to each case". Thus, they analyze the particular situations they encounter and "personalize" specific actions. "The protocol to follow is always tailored and is decided by consensus of the different experts, within the most rigorous legality," they detail.
In practice, and as they themselves explain, they try to use the access control technique, that is, to be at the doors of the affected house as security guards. In addition, they try to reach an economic agreement with the squatters so that they end up freeing the house.
The money they charge for their services
Their rates are not public but it is estimated that they charge a minimum of 3.000 euros to get an eviction. They recommend letting clients know that they do not report the case to the courts in order to avoid the legal channel and be able to act more quickly. Likewise, the company highlights that 5% of the income it obtains is destined for an association that will work to help finance and help in childhood cancer.
Controversy over their eviction practices
In practice, however, their practices have been questioned by various groups, who denounce that, rather than mediate, the Desokupa professionals, with their bulk and tattoos that are more reminiscent of a boxer than a mediator, extort and threaten until they get evictions . Knowing if his actions are legal is one of the big questions.
Desokupa, and other similar companies that have arisen since then, is not an illegal company, although some judicial experts point out that these fast and efficient vacations that they achieve are done bordering on the limits of the legal framework with the forms and methods.
