Catalonia’s Supreme Court (TSJC) summons President Mas for 9N symbolic vote on independence
CNA / Sara Prim
Barcelona (CNA).- Current Catalan President Artur Mas has been
called to the court on the 15th of October for authorising and
co-organising the 9-N symbolic referendum on independence that took
place in 2014. Catalonia’s Supreme Court (TSJC), which pends on Spanish
Administration of Justice, also confirmed the prosecution of former
Vice-President Joana Ortega and Catalan Minister of Education Irene
Rigau for the same charges. The official prosecution of Artur Mas and 2
other members of the Executive arrives two days after the 27-S elections
and takes the current political conflict a level higher. The Catalan
Government considered the TSJC decision a “democratic anomaly” and
described it as a “political judgment”.
Mas, Ortega and Rigau are summonsed for disobedience, perversion of
justice, misappropriation of public funds and overtaking of public
office. The call to declare was left pending, after the defences of Mas,
Ortega and Rigau asked the TSJC to do so and wait until after the 27-S
elections, to avoid interfering with the electoral process. The first to
declare will be former Vice-President Joana Ortega and Catalan Minister
of Education Irene Rigau, whom are set to do so on the 13th of October.
President Mas will have to present himself to the court on the 15th of
October, a date which coincides with the 75th anniversary of republican
Catalan President Lluís Company’s execution.
Catalan Government: “We haven’t done anything illegal”
The Catalan Government considered the TSJC decision a “democratic
anomaly” and described it as a “political judgment”. “A lawsuit was
brought because we put in place the ballot boxes and allowed citizens to
express their opinion regarding their country’s future” stated Catalan
Government spokeswoman Neus Munté. She recounted and extended the
Government’s “full support” to President Mas, Vice-President Joana
Ortega and Catalan Minister of Education Irene Rigau. Munté lamented the
“exploitation” of the judicial system, which could “also be seen during
the electoral campaign”.
Junqueras: This “is the best example” to fight for independence
“This is the best example” to explain why Catalonia has to be an
independent country. Number five of pro-independence list ‘Junts Pel
Sí’, left-wing ERC leader Oriol Junqueras, made this statement in a
radio interview with Catalan station RAC1 after the TSJC’s decision was
announced. “As long as we belong to the Spanish State, normal things
such as asking the citizens’ opinion will turn into lawsuits and
summonses” he warned. Junqueras considers the summonsing an invitation
“to prolong Catalonia’s independence process” and expressed the need to
“shorten the deadlines and implement the process” as soon as possible.
He also commented on the coincidence of the date on which Mas is called
to the court, the 15th of October, being the 75th anniversary of Catalan
President Lluís Companys’ execution. “If they did it on purpose, it
would be monstrous”, he stated.
ANC and Òmnium Cultural: “We are co-responsible”
The two main civil societies supporting Catalonia’s independence, the
Catalan National Assembly (ANC) and Òmnium Cultural, warned that the
TSCJ decision “won’t be left unanswered”. The presidents of both
associations, Jordi Sànchez and Quim Torra, expressed their “full
support” for President Mas, Vice-President Joana Ortega and Catalan
Minister of Education Irene Rigau. The President of ANC, Jordi Sànchez,
emphasised that they feel “co-responsible” for the organisation of the
9-N non-binding vote on independence. He lamented “the gesture” from the
Spanish government against “a decision which aimed to allow people to
express themselves”. “Fidelity to the institutions of our land”, stated
Òmnium Cultural’s President Quim Torra.
CUP: “Another attack against our institutions”
Left wing pro-independence CUP condemned the TSJC’s decision and
described it as “another attack against our institutions”. “Disobeying
will be a usual procedure from now on”, they warned. They emphasised the
“democratic phobia” of the Spanish State and critised the “political
use” of the judicial system “to bend Catalonia’s will”. CUP urged to
file the accusation as Mas, Rigau and Ortgea were summonsed to “follow
the democratic mandate of celebrating a referendum”.
Ciutadans: “Every Spanish is subjected to rule of law”
Anti-Catalan nationalism Ciutadans’s leader, Albert Rivera feels that
the TSJC called Mas to the court “because there are crimes to be
charged”. “Every Spanish citizen is subject to the rule of law; whether
he is called Artur Mas or Albert Rivera” he stated. Rivera insisted that
Mas’s “political incompetence” shouldn’t be mixed up with judicial
affairs. “I don’t want to judge” nor “interfere” in political decisions
“as others do”, he stated.
PSC: Mas summons is “a mistake”
Catalan Socialist Party PSC commented on the TSJC decision and
considered it to be “a mistake”. “It complicates the dialogue” that is
“required” after the 27-S elections, stated PSC’s Secretary of
organisation, Assumpta Escarp. She expressed her respect to the judicial
institutions but emphasised that the 9-N’s consequences should have
been solved “by political means”.
PPC: Mas will be summonsed “once and for all”
The Catalan branch of conservative People’s Party (PPC) also
commented on Mas’ summonsing by the TSJC. Its lead candidate in the 27-S
Xavier García Albiol celebrated the decision and stated that Mas is now
“less legitimate” to rule the Catalan government. “Catalonia can’t have
a President which is summonsed for disobedience” he said, and
emphasised Mas “precedents” for “creating ruptures in society”. Albiol
asked Mas to “voluntarily resign”.
ICV: “Spain’s disastrous management of the 9-N goes one step further”
Catalan Eco-Socialist party ICV commented on the TSJC decision to
summons President Mas, Vice-President Joana Ortega and Catalan Minister
of Education Irene Rigau for organising the symbolic referendum on
independence, held on the 9th of November 2015. “It helps the
confrontation and the polarisation” of the political situation in
Catalonia, stated ICV’s National Coordinator, Dolors Camats. At a press
conference held this Thursday, Camats considered the TSJC’s decision to
be “another step” in Spain’s “disastrous management” of the 9-N
consultation. “It helps to expel from the political debate other issues
and problems that affect the daily life of citizens”, she stated.
justice, misappropriation of public funds and overtaking of public
office. The call to declare was left pending, after the defences of Mas,
Ortega and Rigau asked the TSJC to do so and wait until after the 27-S
elections, to avoid interfering with the electoral process. The first to
declare will be former Vice-President Joana Ortega and Catalan Minister
of Education Irene Rigau, whom are set to do so on the 13th of October.
President Mas will have to present himself to the court on the 15th of
October, a date which coincides with the 75th anniversary of republican
Catalan President Lluís Company’s execution.
Catalan Government: “We haven’t done anything illegal”
The Catalan Government considered the TSJC decision a “democratic
anomaly” and described it as a “political judgment”. “A lawsuit was
brought because we put in place the ballot boxes and allowed citizens to
express their opinion regarding their country’s future” stated Catalan
Government spokeswoman Neus Munté. She recounted and extended the
Government’s “full support” to President Mas, Vice-President Joana
Ortega and Catalan Minister of Education Irene Rigau. Munté lamented the
“exploitation” of the judicial system, which could “also be seen during
the electoral campaign”.
Junqueras: This “is the best example” to fight for independence
“This is the best example” to explain why Catalonia has to be an
independent country. Number five of pro-independence list ‘Junts Pel
Sí’, left-wing ERC leader Oriol Junqueras, made this statement in a
radio interview with Catalan station RAC1 after the TSJC’s decision was
announced. “As long as we belong to the Spanish State, normal things
such as asking the citizens’ opinion will turn into lawsuits and
summonses” he warned. Junqueras considers the summonsing an invitation
“to prolong Catalonia’s independence process” and expressed the need to
“shorten the deadlines and implement the process” as soon as possible.
He also commented on the coincidence of the date on which Mas is called
to the court, the 15th of October, being the 75th anniversary of Catalan
President Lluís Companys’ execution. “If they did it on purpose, it
would be monstrous”, he stated.
ANC and Òmnium Cultural: “We are co-responsible”
The two main civil societies supporting Catalonia’s independence, the
Catalan National Assembly (ANC) and Òmnium Cultural, warned that the
TSCJ decision “won’t be left unanswered”. The presidents of both
associations, Jordi Sànchez and Quim Torra, expressed their “full
support” for President Mas, Vice-President Joana Ortega and Catalan
Minister of Education Irene Rigau. The President of ANC, Jordi Sànchez,
emphasised that they feel “co-responsible” for the organisation of the
9-N non-binding vote on independence. He lamented “the gesture” from the
Spanish government against “a decision which aimed to allow people to
express themselves”. “Fidelity to the institutions of our land”, stated
Òmnium Cultural’s President Quim Torra.
CUP: “Another attack against our institutions”
Left wing pro-independence CUP condemned the TSJC’s decision and
described it as “another attack against our institutions”. “Disobeying
will be a usual procedure from now on”, they warned. They emphasised the
“democratic phobia” of the Spanish State and critised the “political
use” of the judicial system “to bend Catalonia’s will”. CUP urged to
file the accusation as Mas, Rigau and Ortgea were summonsed to “follow
the democratic mandate of celebrating a referendum”.
Ciutadans: “Every Spanish is subjected to rule of law”
Anti-Catalan nationalism Ciutadans’s leader, Albert Rivera feels that
the TSJC called Mas to the court “because there are crimes to be
charged”. “Every Spanish citizen is subject to the rule of law; whether
he is called Artur Mas or Albert Rivera” he stated. Rivera insisted that
Mas’s “political incompetence” shouldn’t be mixed up with judicial
affairs. “I don’t want to judge” nor “interfere” in political decisions
“as others do”, he stated.
PSC: Mas summons is “a mistake”
Catalan Socialist Party PSC commented on the TSJC decision and
considered it to be “a mistake”. “It complicates the dialogue” that is
“required” after the 27-S elections, stated PSC’s Secretary of
organisation, Assumpta Escarp. She expressed her respect to the judicial
institutions but emphasised that the 9-N’s consequences should have
been solved “by political means”.
PPC: Mas will be summonsed “once and for all”
The Catalan branch of conservative People’s Party (PPC) also
commented on Mas’ summonsing by the TSJC. Its lead candidate in the 27-S
Xavier García Albiol celebrated the decision and stated that Mas is now
“less legitimate” to rule the Catalan government. “Catalonia can’t have
a President which is summonsed for disobedience” he said, and
emphasised Mas “precedents” for “creating ruptures in society”. Albiol
asked Mas to “voluntarily resign”.
ICV: “Spain’s disastrous management of the 9-N goes one step further”
Catalan Eco-Socialist party ICV commented on the TSJC decision to
summons President Mas, Vice-President Joana Ortega and Catalan Minister
of Education Irene Rigau for organising the symbolic referendum on
independence, held on the 9th of November 2015. “It helps the
confrontation and the polarisation” of the political situation in
Catalonia, stated ICV’s National Coordinator, Dolors Camats. At a press
conference held this Thursday, Camats considered the TSJC’s decision to
be “another step” in Spain’s “disastrous management” of the 9-N
consultation. “It helps to expel from the political debate other issues
and problems that affect the daily life of citizens”, she stated.
More on
9-N, 9-N consultation, Artur Mas, Catalan Government, Independence, Irene Rigau, Joana Ortega, President Mas, Referendum, Self-Determination, TSJC
President Mas voting at 9N non-binding and symbolic referendum in 2014 (by ACN)
