CATALONIA -- German vicarious agents -Kommentar Katalonien: Deutsche Erfüllungsgehilfen - taz.de

Kommentar Katalonien: Deutsche Erfüllungsgehilfen - taz.de

 

 

German vicarious agents

The behavior of the Spanish government and justice is similar to a coup d'état. Rajoy is hiding behind the judges - and Germany.

 Does that look like rebellion? Demonstration of March 25 in Barcelona 

 A European arrest warrant and a related extradition request - that looks routine. The detainee in question, Catalan Prime Minister Carles Puigdemont , who was deposed by Madrid, allegedly
committed "rebellion" with the plebiscite on independence on 1 October,
which was banned by the conservative Spanish government of Mariano
Rajoy. This is a serious crime, which occurs with "high treason" in a similar form in German criminal law.

But what looks so clear at first glance is not. Because without violence, there is no "rebellion" and therefore no "high treason", so want the Spanish and German law. We all saw the pictures from October 1st . It was anything but peaceful. Only: the violence originated with the Spanish police, who had sent Madrid by the thousands to Catalonia. Over 900 injured people left them, while the electorate, if anything, non-violent resistance.

Regardless of whether or not Spain's dissociation from Catalonia is
supported, the right to peacefully stand for it can not be taken away
from anyone.
And setting up urns - even against the orders of the central government
and the Constitutional Court - is also not a crime, but a sign of deep
trust in democracy to achieve the desired goal.

On the other hand, arresting politicians and activists, allowing them
to be hunted internationally, threatening them with imprisonment of up
to 38 years does not speak of the belief in democracy, but of belief in
authoritarian solutions, of institutional violence instead of necessary
political dialogue.

What Spain does is like a coup d'état

Puigdemont is Catalan's elected leader of Catalonia and confirmed in Rajoy's new elections. Investigative judge Pablo Llarena did not let him back to the country to be re-elected by the Catalan Parliament. Puigdemont cleared the way for Jordi Sànchez. The popular activist has been in custody since October.
Llarena did not allow clearance, although in the past it was even
granted to a suspected member of the Basque separatist armed forces,
elected to the Basque Parliament. Even the UN criticized Spain for that.
The third in the league, the close confidante Puigdemonts, Jordi
Turull, was buried by Judge Llarena on Friday before he could face the
second ballot in parliament.

What the Spanish government and the judiciary do is more like a coup than the much-vaunted "defense of the law." Rajoy hides behind the judges instead of addressing a political problem with politics. He trusts that Germany supports him in this authoritarian procedure. Why else would his secret services have waited until Puigdemont left Scandinavia to contact the police?

In Europe, and especially in Catalonia these days, people firmly
believe that the German judiciary is independent and defends fundamental
rights.
Delivering Puigdemonts would be - after the tanks against the Kurds - a
second, very dark spot on the ever-changing, pastel-colored costume
jackets of our country.