The Penal Chamber of the Supreme Court reiterates that the Amnesty Law does not protect those convicted of embezzlement in the Catalan independence trial. The high court has rejected appeals from the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the State Attorney and several of those convicted for their role in the independence challenge of October 2017 – including former Catalan vice president Oriol Junqueras and former ministers Jordi Turull, Raül Romeva and Dolors Bassa. Just as they stated in July, when they first denied the application of the amnesty measure, the judges insist that the defendants obtained a “personal and financial benefit” from the embezzlement they are accused of, and that the legislator has expressly excluded this crime from the scope of amnesty.
The decision was made in the Supreme Court by a large majority. Five of the six judges who composed the court (Manuel Marchena, Andrés Martínez Arrieta, Juan Ramón Berdugo, Antonio del Moral and Andrés Palomo) have once again rejected the application of amnesty to the independence leaders. Only one of the judges (Ana Ferrer) issued a dissenting vote. [Breaking news. Continued reading]
In this recent ruling by the Supreme Court, the judges uphold that the Amnesty Law does not apply to those found guilty of embezzlement in the context of the Catalan independence trial. This decision is in line with their previous judgment in July, where they similarly denied the application of amnesty to the accused individuals. The judges emphasize that the defendants derived a personal financial gain from the embezzlement charges brought against them, which unequivocally disqualifies them from being eligible for amnesty under the law.
The rejection of the application of amnesty to the Catalan independence leaders was a decision made with a strong majority in the Supreme Court. Five out of the six judges on the panel reiterated their stance, highlighting the explicit exclusion of embezzlement from the scope of amnesty by the legislator. The dissenting opinion from one of the judges underscores the complexity and diverging perspectives within the court. This ruling demonstrates the judicial rigor and commitment to upholding the law in cases of significant public interest and political relevance, such as the Catalonia independence trial.
The Supreme Court’s definitive stance on the application of the Amnesty Law in the Catalan independence case sends a clear message about the boundaries of legal protections and the accountability of individuals involved in criminal activities. By rejecting the appeals and reiterating their decision, the court underscores the seriousness of the charges brought against the defendants and the need to uphold the integrity of the legal system. This decision reaffirms the commitment to justice and the rule of law in addressing complex and contentious cases, ensuring that accountability and consequences are upheld for all individuals involved in criminal acts, regardless of their political positions or motivations.
