Catalonia's High Court Acquits Former Culture Minister Lluís Puig of Disobedience Charges
The High Court of Justice of Catalonia (TSJC) has cleared former Minister of Culture Lluís Puig of disobedience charges related to the transfer of artworks from the Diocesan Museum of Lleida to the Monastery of Sijena in Huesca. In a ruling made available on Wednesday, the TSJC found insufficient evidence to support claims that Puig had persistently violated orders concerning the transfer of 44 artworks.
According to the court, they could not definitively conclude that Puig's refusal to carry out the transfer was overtly and unequivocally disobedient. The ruling emphasized that there was not enough evidence presented to meet the legal requirement for such a condemnation, indicating that Puig's actions did not demonstrate a direct opposition to judicial mandates.
The case highlights the complexities surrounding the handling of cultural heritage in Catalonia, especially given the legal disputes involving valuable artworks. Santi Vila, Puig's predecessor, is also currently facing similar charges but is being tried separately in Barcelona. Unlike Puig, Vila is not protected by parliamentary privileges. He has been accused of disobedience to judicial decisions and is also alleged to have usurped judicial powers.
Vila, who was previously responsible for handling the transfer orders, testified under conditions exempting him from the obligation to tell the truth in Puig's trial, choosing to invoke his right not to testify. The prosecution claims that Vila failed to transfer a complete collection of artworks, including pieces located at the National Art Museum of Catalonia and the Lleida Museum, thus becoming implicated in the legal proceedings.
The ongoing legal disputes over the artworks have drawn attention to the broader tensions in Catalonia concerning cultural identity and heritage preservation, as well as the political implications related to the region's governance and independence movements. The TSJC's ruling in favor of Puig sets a significant precedent regarding the level of evidence required to substantiate claims against public officials in similar circumstances.
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