Spain's court suspends "terrorism" proceedings against former regional president Puigdemont
The Spanish Supreme Court halted the "Terrorism" proceedings against the former Catalan regional president Carles Puigdemont at the Tribunal on Tuesday due to a formal error. The court stated this and referred to the fact that the responsible judge had announced the extension of investigations only one day after the permissible deadline.
However, the Spanish justice continues to pursue independence activist Puigdemont for embezzlement of funds and the charge of high treason. Last week, the supreme court denied Puigdemont's pardon request with reference to the embezzlement allegations and reactivated the 2017 arrest warrant against him. Puigdemont filed an appeal against this decision.
The pardon was intended to benefit Catalan activists who were pursued by the Spanish justice after the failed secession attempt in Catalonia in 2017. The pardon law was a concession of the socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to separatist politicians represented by two parties in the Madrid parliament.
Sánchez relied on their support to form a government last year. The pardon plans triggered months of protests from the conservative opposition. The application of the pardon is to be decided by the competent judges in each individual case.
- Despite the error leading to the halt of terrorism proceedings against Puigdemont, the Spanish court continues to pursue charges of embezzlement and high treason against him due to separate allegations.
- The denial of Puigdemont's pardon request by the Spanish Supreme Court was because of the persisting embezzlement allegations, and it reinstated the 2017 arrest warrant against him.
- The decision to halt the terrorism proceedings against Puigdemont in Spain was made because the responsible judge announced the extension of investigations past the permissible deadline, resulting in a formal error.
