Catalan official arrested by Spanish police takes case to Human Rights court

A former top Catalan government official who was arrested by Spanish police is to take his case to the European Court of Human Rights. Josep Maria Jové, former secretary general of the Catalan government’s vice presidency and economy ministries, was arrested on September 20.

During raids of Catalan government buildings by Spain’s Guardia Civil police, a number of high-ranking officials were arrested in the major operation to prevent the independence referendum.

Jové alleges that the reason for the arrest “was intimidatory rather than based on law,” that he was held in custody “beyond the time necessary for the purpose of the investigation,” and that “his rights were not respected.” Therefore, “the arrest and the detention were not in accordance with law,” he maintains.

Arrested for 50 hours

Following his arrest, Jové remained in police custody for around 50 hours. While being held, the Spanish Constitutional Court imposed a €12,000 daily fine for disobeying the law, a decision that prompted his resignation. Jové’s lawyer referred to the fine as “clearly disproportionate” and intended to be “intimidatory”.

The lawsuit states that the fine put Jové at risk of irreparable harm affecting his right to life, his private and family life, and his possessions.

Interviewed without attorney

Jové was interviewed and charged with criminal offenses with no attorney present, according to the suit. Moreover, at the time of his arrest he was informed “in an ambiguous and general way of the allegations against him” in breach of Articles 5 (2) and 6 (3) of the European Convention on Human Rights.