Spain’s Supreme Court stands firm on embezzlement charges against Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont, ignoring the amnesty agreed by politicians. Puigdemont is accused of misusing public funds for Catalonia’s 2017 independence referendum. The court upheld the arrest warrant against him, along with two other politicians.
Key Points
The court ruled that the amnesty does not apply to the misuse of public funds. Puigdemont, Comin, and Puig allegedly gained financially from the referendum, impacting Spain’s tax revenue. The judgment could disrupt Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s coalition government.
Implications
Sanchez relied on Puigdemont’s party for his government. The amnesty for separatists faces backlash from judges, opposition parties, and the public. The ongoing dispute deepens divisions in Spanish society and within the ruling party.
Puigdemont has three days to appeal the court’s decision. The situation remains tense, with uncertainty surrounding the amnesty process and its implications for the government.