Former Minister Lluís Puig and his position before the Constitutional Court
Lluís Puig, former minister, has expressed his intention to go to the European courts if the Spanish Constitutional Court does not stop what he considers legal madness. This statement comes after the Supreme Court has decided not to grant amnesty to him, the former president of the Generalitat Carles Puigdemont and the former minister Toni Comín, and has maintained the arrest warrants against them. Puig expressed his surprise at this decision, as he expected the end to be near. Furthermore, he pointed out that at the moment the judges seem to be the most anti-constitutionalist.
The crime of embezzlement and the position of the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court argues that the crime of embezzlement cannot be amnestied, since it considers that in the context of the 1-O referendum there were personal interests and a plan to achieve the independence of Catalonia. Given this, Puig questions the veracity of these statements and wonders if they should be believed. Regarding his possible return during the investiture session, Puig stated that he first wants to know the date and then he will evaluate the situation. He stated that he prefers to wait and not lose sleep over hypotheses that may or may not happen.
The uncertainty about the return to Catalonia
In an interview, Lluís Puig admitted that he does not know if he will want to return to Catalonia after the Supreme Court has decided not to apply the amnesty law to him. He questions whether it is worth facing the current situation upon his return. This uncertainty arises after Judge Pablo Llarena also refused to apply the amnesty law to Puigdemont and Comín, arguing that the crime of embezzlement does not meet the requirements of the law.
Legal remedies and the possibility of new arrest warrants
Given the Supreme Court’s decision, Puig will file an appeal and will seek to file an appeal before the Constitutional Court in October. However, he acknowledges that the process can take months or even years, during which a lot can happen. Puig also wonders if Judge Llarena will issue another European arrest warrant against him, since he considers that he has the obligation to pursue them if he considers them guilty.
