Supreme Court Rejects Puigdemont's Appeal on Embezzlement Charges
The Supreme Court judge Pablo Llarena has officially dismissed the appeal made by former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont regarding the application of the amnesty law to the embezzlement crime for which he is being prosecuted in absentia. In a ruling that aligns with expectations, Llarena has turned down the reform appeals submitted not only by Puigdemont but also by former councillors Lluis Puig and Antoni ComÃn. The outcome allows these individuals to take their case to the Appeals Chamber of the high court.
This decision also sees the rejection of appeals from both the Prosecutors Office and the State Attorney, who had pushed for the application of the amnesty law to those involved in the prosecution. In his ruling, Llarena specifically highlighted that the law explicitly excludes embezzlement crimes from amnesty if the parties involved acted with the intent to gain personal financial benefit, a condition he believes is relevant in this instance.
Additionally, the ruling addresses the Vox party's appeal, which sought a similar application of the law regarding disobedience charges. However, Llarena sided with ERC leader Marta Rovira by agreeing that the dismissal of her disobedience case should be handled by the Appeals Chamber, thereby concluding the preliminary proceedings regarding her case.
This ruling marks another chapter in the ongoing political and legal turmoil surrounding Catalan nationalism and its leaders, particularly in light of past events surrounding the 2017 independence referendum. It reinforces the judicial stance that holds individuals accountable for actions taken under the premise of seeking personal financial gain, while also demonstrating the complexities of navigating legal avenues in politically charged cases.
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