Jailed ministers question Spanish judiciary before judge

Two jailed Catalan ministers criticized the whole Spanish judiciary and the judge in charge of the independence case whilst before the magistrate himself. They took part on Tuesday in a hearing where they were officially informed of their indictments. Both of them, along with 7 other members of the deposed Carles Puigdemont cabinet, are being prosecuted for rebellion and misuse of funds, crimes that might carry up to 30 years in prison.

The jailed Catalan minister Josep Rull questioned Spain’s separation of powers in the hearing in the Spanish Supreme Court. According to him, the Spanish justice minister and other officials have “anticipated” some judicial rulings. Rull has also accused judge Llarena, in charge of his case, of following the Spanish government’s “roadmap.” For the jailed Catalan politician, this is evidence that the Supreme Court is not independent and is affected by the Spanish government's decisions.

Independence case "political"

In his hearing, Josep Rull also said that the judicial case against him is “political.” In fact, he claimed to the judge that if the parties in favor of a Catalan state had not won the last Catalan election on December 21, 2017, the independence judicial case would not be in the same situation as it is now. Currently nine leaders are in Spanish jails, while seven more are living abroad taking refuge from the Spanish justice system, over fears they would not receive a fair trial.

Judge rulings "not legitimate"

The deposed foreign affairs minister, Raül Romeva, told the judge that judicialising the political conflict between Catalonia and Spain “is not legitimate.” During his 45-minute hearing, he claimed that lawmakers were allowed to discuss anything in the Catalan chamber because they had “parliamentary immunity.” He also rejected allegations of violence and said that he has taken part in some peaceful missions to resolve conflicts. He added that he has never assumed, nor will he assume, violence as a possible strategy to achieve any political goal. For Romeva, judge “no powers” to imprison him, and his right to defense is being violated.

Both Romeva and Rull followed the pattern set by the other three jailed leaders who testified on Monday – Jordi Sànchez, Jordi Cuixart and Oriol Junqueras – and who criticized the judicial case against them. On Tuesday, Romeva defended Catalonia’s right to self-determination, as the Catalan deposed vice-president, Oriol Junqueras, did the day before. Rull made clear he will continue striving for independence in order to avoid his children living in a country “where people are jailed for their ideas.”

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