Prosecutor's Office Dismisses Allegations Against Catalan Leaders in Puigdemont's Escape Case
The Prosecutor's Office has filed an opposition against the investigation of former Catalan President Pere Aragonès, Parliament President Josep Rull, and top officials of the Mossos d'Esquadra regarding their roles in Carles Puigdemont's escape. The public ministry stated that it sees no evidence that these individuals acted or issued orders aimed at preventing Puigdemont's detention.
This statement comes in the wake of complaints lodged by the far-right party Vox and the association Hazte Oír, which urged the Superior Court of Justice of Catalonia (TSJC) to investigate Puigdemont's escape following his brief return to Spain on August 8. The complaints also called for inquiries into former Interior Minister Joan Ignasi Elena and Gonzalo Boye, Puigdemont's lawyer.
The Prosecutor's Office acknowledged that while the Mossos' operation to apprehend Puigdemont can be critiqued or even chastised, there has not been sufficient evidence presented to prove that the accused leaders expressly instructed the police not to arrest the former president for political reasons. This position signals a crucial distinction between operational failures and criminal intent, suggesting that the actions of governmental authorities need contextualization rather than outright condemnation.
As Puigdemont remains a figure at the center of political controversy in Catalonia, the investigations pertaining to his escape continue to draw significant public and political interest. This latest development raises questions about the balance between legal accountability and political responsibility in the delicate atmosphere of Catalan politics.
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