Suspension of interrogations
The instructor of the Supreme Court of the Democratic Tsunami case, Susana Polo, has decided to suspend the interrogations as terrorism investigations of the president-in-exile Carles Puigdemont and the deputy of ERC Ruben Wagensberg. This decision has been taken after the amnesty law came into force, which has given the parties 10 days to say whether the two under investigation can be granted amnesty. The magistrate has considered it appropriate to stop the investigation until it is clarified.
The context of the interrogations
The interrogations were scheduled for next week, from June 17 to 21. Carles Puigdemont and Ruben Wagensberg are in exile and the magistrate offered them the possibility to testify voluntarily by video conference. However, the suspension of the interrogations has occurred because the amnesty law has opened the possibility for the investigated to be amnestied. It should be noted that Carles Puigdemont is no longer an MEP and therefore no longer has the protection of the European Parliament to avoid being questioned.
Reactions and legal remedies
In relation to this decision, the lawyer of ERC Ruben Wagensberg, Andreu Van den Eynde, has appeared in the case and presented legal resources to defend his position. On the other hand, Carles Puigdemont’s lawyer, Gonzalo Boye, has not considered his personation a priority at this time. It should be noted that Esquerra Republicana has already requested amnesty for 37 charges, among them Ruben Wagensberg, and other defendants in the Tsunami case at the National Court.
Videoconferencing and security issues
Ruben Wagensberg was set to testify via video conference from Switzerland, where he is in exile. However, the Supreme Court judge has not activated the international rogatory commission to allow this statement, as the amnesty law has been approved before the interrogations. In addition, it should be noted that the Spanish police have tried to locate Carles Puigdemont, but Interpol in France has not been able to find him.
Accusations and defenses
The prosecution carried out by the two policemen, represented by the penalty expert Josep Maria Fuster-Fabra, has filed an appeal against the statement by video conference. On the other hand, Ruben Wagensberg’s lawyer, Andreu Van den Eynde, has defended that his client has not committed any crime of terrorism and has asked the magistrate to provide him with original copies of the confiscated computer material. He has also asked the National Intelligence Center to clarify whether it has investigated Tsunami, as stated in the Supreme Court’s authorizations for the CNI to spy on President Pere Aragonès with the Pegasus software.