In Spain, the Supreme Court announced the opening of an investigation on charges of “terrorism” against Carles Puigdemont

The Supreme Court, the highest judicial body in Spain, announced on Thursday, February 29, the opening of an investigation on charges of “terrorism” against Catalan independence leader Carles Puigdemont, in connection with the unrest that took place in 2019 after he was sentenced to prison among separatist leaders.

The announcement comes as Pedro Sanchez's left-wing government and Mr Puigdemont's party negotiate an amnesty law for separatists involved in Catalonia's 2017 secession attempt – one of the most serious political crises in Spain's contemporary history.

The Supreme Court said in a statement “competent” to “Open an investigation and, if necessary, prosecute former Catalan regional president Carles Puigdemont.” For some “Crimes of terrorism in relation to the facts targeted by the investigation into the Democratic Tsunami”.

“Democratic Tsunami” is the name of a vague platform that called for a protest against the October 14, 2019 prison sentence of nine independence leaders for their role in the 2017 secession attempt. Thousands of activists had notably formed a blockade of Barcelona airport that day.

Urban guerrilla scenes

This organization was also the reason behind, among other things, banditry in Catalonia in the context of high tensions characterized by urban guerrilla scenes in Barcelona. The Supreme Court, which appointed an investigating judge to investigate this case, “He has no doubt that the facts of which he accused Democratic Tsunami amount to terrorism.”The authority continues in its press release.

According to her opinion, “There are several indicators that support Carles Puigdemont’s participation in the incidents.”from “He was informed from the beginning of the creation of this new organized group with the aim of seriously undermining the constitutional order and destabilizing democratic institutions.”.

In addition to Mr. Puigdemont, who fled to Belgium in 2017 to escape prosecution by Spanish justice, this investigation also targets Ruben Wagensberg, an elected official in the Catalan regional parliament who left Spain a few weeks ago to avoid prosecution.