The National Court supports the investigation on Democratic Tsunami
The National Court has supported the investigation into Democratic Tsunami carried out by magistrate Manuel García Castellón. Specifically, the criminal chamber of the National Court has denied two Tsunami investigators, Oriol Soler and Oleguer Serra, access to the origin of the investigation. The anonymous platform Tsunami Democràtic was launched in 2019, but the investigation by Judge García-Castellón began in 2018. Those investigated have presented three challenges to remove the judge from the procedure, but the criminal court has rejected these requests.
Evidence of terrorism crime
The court has highlighted that in the Democratic Tsunami case there are indications of the crime of terrorism, which is the jurisdiction of the National Court. Furthermore, the investigation instruction has been confirmed by the Supreme Court. The accused, former president Carles Puigdemont and ERC deputy Ruben Wagensberg, are also involved in the case.
Accusations against Judge García-Castellón
The lawyer of those investigated, Benet Salellas, has accused Judge García-Castellón of creating a general case against the Catalan independence movement. Salellas argues that the magistrate has carried out investigations since 2017 and has divided the case into separate pieces. Furthermore, he has requested clarification since when the Civil Guard has been investigating the Catalan independence movement and when it has provided information to Judge García-Castellón.
Denied access to preliminary proceedings
The criminal court has denied those investigated access to preliminary proceedings 104/2017 and 99/2018, which are the origin of the investigation. The court argues that those investigated have not specified how these proceedings affect their defense. The criminal chamber of the National Court had already denied the same procedures to the defenses of the CDR of Operation Judas, which generated criticism of Judge García-Castellón.
