News

Lamela: “Risk of flight”

Generalitat ministers who deny incitement to violence are accused of “fomenting a plan of rebellion” and imprisoned in Estremera and Alcalà Meco

The judge of the Audiencia Nacional Carmen Lamela yesterday continued with the severity of declaring detention without bail for the eight members of the Catalan government, after accepting the charges of rebellion, as she had done with the leaders of the civic sovereignty organisations, Jordi Cuixart and Jordi Sànchez, who were imprisoned three weeks ago. Citing risk of flight, risk of repeated criminal activity and risk of destruction of evidence, pertaining to all counts, the judge ruled imprisonment for vice-President Oriol Junqueras and Generalitat ministers Raül Romeva, Josep Rull, Jordi Turull, Joaquim Forn and Carles Mundó, Dolors Bassa and Meritxell Borràs. They were taken last night to the prisons of Estremera and Alcalá Meco. Former minister Santi Vila was also imprisoned but had bail set at €50,000.

The ministers only answered questions from their lawyers and denied the charge of incitement to violence, necessary in cases of rebellion. The judge however, deemed “fomenting a plan of rebellion” as sufficient evidence by “encouraging people to occupy the streets, public buildings and submit the authorities to a relentless siege.”

Lamela also claims the government of Carles Puigdemont misappropriated public funds to pay for the self-determination referendum, which she described as a ’criminal act’, without providing specifics. Other details of the ruling include support of the General strike and various Tweets which could be interpreted as incitement.

Spain’s government issued no statement other than to say it “respected the independence of the judiciary”.

Sign in. Sign in if you are already a verified reader. I want to become verified reader. To leave comments on the website you must be a verified reader.
Note: To leave comments on the website you must be a verified reader and accept the conditions of use.