Spain investigates Catalan separatist leader for terrorism

Spain's Supreme Court has opened an investigation into the former leader of Catalonia on terrorism charges following a secession attempt in 2017.

Spain's Supreme Court said on February 29 that Carles Puigdemont, former leader of Catalonia and now a member of the European Parliament (EP), will be investigated "and prosecuted at the appropriate time" for terrorism charges related to the Democratic Tsunami group.

The group is believed to be linked to protests in October 2019 that saw thousands of people besiege Barcelona airport for hours and cause the cancellation of more than 100 flights. Clashes between police and protesters left at least 115 people injured.

Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont in Brussels, Belgium, in November 2023, after negotiations on an amnesty deal. Photo: Reuters — Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont in Brussels, Belgium, in November 2023, after negotiations on an amnesty deal. Photo: *Reuters*

Spain’s Supreme Court has ruled that the October 2019 protests were an act of “street terrorism.” Judges said the protest organizers intended to undermine law and order, seriously disrupt peace , cause serious damage to international operations, and spread terror among the population.

"There is evidence that Mr. Carles Puigdemont was involved in the incident under investigation," Spain's Supreme Court said.

Spanish officials say Puigdemont helped found the Democratic Tsunami organization with the aim of "challenging order and the law to seriously destabilize democratic institutions".

Democratic Tsunami is a secretive group that organized a series of protests in Spain after the central government arrested 13 politicians who supported secession for the Catalan region.

The protests began in 2019, about two years after the 2017 referendum for Catalan independence, which was initially blocked by Spain's Supreme Court. Puigdemont's government claimed 92% of the vote was in favor of secession, but only 42% of the region's population took part.

Puigdemont and his supporters declared independence in October 2017. The central government in Madrid then imposed a state of emergency in Catalonia to end the secessionist drive, and new elections were held for the regional parliament and leaders.

Carles Puigdemont lost his position and fled to Belgium to avoid arrest. After Spain dropped his arrest warrant, he was elected to the European Parliament in 2019. Puigdemont is believed to still be living in exile abroad, having escaped arrest twice in Germany and Italy.

The 2017-2019 secessionist actions, despite their failure, are still considered the most serious political crisis in decades in Spain.

Thanh Danh (According to AFP )

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