Pujol case takes new turn
Judge De la Mata issues five search warrants for offices and homes of the Pujol Ferrussola families in hunt for €30 million hidden by Jordi Pujol (Jnr)
The properties and professional offices of Jordi Pujol Ferrussola, Jordi Pujol and Marta Ferrussola were searched yesterday morning in both Barcelona the town of Queralbs in Ripoll by order of the judge of the Audiencia Nacional, José de la Mata. The move is a new turn in the judicial investigation which began in 2012, related to the origin of the family fortune. The eldest son of the former president of the Generalitat, Jordi Pujol, is accused of among other crimes, belonging to a criminal organisation. As well, other members of the family, the father, mother, brothers and sisters, Pujol Jnr's former wife as well as members of her family and business associates, are also being investigated for charges of forgery, money laundering and tax evasion.
Yesterday's search warrants were issues following the appearance of Pujol Ferrussola before the judge who ordered his preventative imprisonment without the possibility of bail while the investigation attempts to follow the trail of €30 million which the court believes he removed from the country by illegal means during the investigation itself and while his bank accounts have been frozen.
One aspect of the investigation involves the company Kopeland Foundation, based in Panama which also shows a connection in possible money laundering which may involve other family members. Searches were carried out in the dwellings of other family members where it is though records of illegal activities may have been kept, as well as offices in Barcelona. Following the searches, Pujol Ferrussola was returned to the prison in Madrid.