Barcelona Court Dismisses New Case of Alleged Russian Interference in Catalan Independence Efforts
The Barcelona Court has officially archived the newly raised case regarding alleged Russian interference in Catalonia's independence movement, known as the 'procés.' This ruling stems from Judge Joaquín Aguirre's attempts to investigate former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont for treason, leading to stern warnings from the court concerning the implications of disregarding its resolution.
According to a statement obtained by EFE, the 21st section of the court accepted an appeal from several individuals involved in the Volhov case. They contested the decision made by the judges to pursue an independent investigation into the so-called Russian plot, particularly after the court had previously halted the case, deeming the last two extensions unjustified.
The judge's pursuit of a new inquiry appeared to the court as a blatant violation of its prior orders. After initiating a new investigative piece to bypass the court's earlier resolution, Aguirre subsequently submitted a reasoned exposition to Spain's Supreme Court. He requested an investigation not only into Puigdemont but also into former Catalan president Artur Mas, aiming to explore alleged connections between them and Russian entities regarding the independence movement.
In May 2024, the Barcelona Court had already decreed the closure of the investigation, stating that Judge Aguirre had unjustifiably prolonged the processes. Nevertheless, in a surprising turn of events, just one month later, Aguirre opted to initiate a fresh separate case targeting Puigdemont and Mas again.
In September, the magistrate opted to not apply the amnesty law in this instance and proceeded to elevate the matter to the Supreme Court, calling for a further investigation into Puigdemont concerning the alleged treasonous activities.
As the legal saga unfolds, it is evident that the complexities surrounding the scrutiny of the νόμος amnesty – a critical element in Spain’s ongoing debates over historical and present justice issues– will continue to play a significant role in the interpretation of the law regarding Catalonia's independence aspirations and its international entanglements.
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