The Supreme Court of Spain has upheld the decision by Judge Pablo Llarena not to apply the amnesty granted by law to former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont, concerning the crime of embezzlement. This ruling confirms that the interpretation made by the lower court is consistent with the intentions of the legislative process. The court noted that the amendment made during the amnesty law’s passage excluded those accused of acting with personal benefit from the scope of amnesty.

The court’s ruling asserts that those charged, including Puigdemont and his former advisers, benefited financially by burdening public funds for personal political projects. According to the Supreme Court, personal enrichment is not limited to tangible increases in personal wealth but includes situations where obligations are covered illicitly, thus failing to uphold the public interest.

In response to the ruling, Puigdemont denounced what he calls the Supreme Court’s ‘rebellion’ against the legislative body, claiming that the ruling reflects an unwillingness to accept the law. His party, Junts, has also voiced opposition, expressing that the legal pursuit is part of a broader strategy against independence movements within Catalonia.

Though the current ruling stands, legal experts suggest that Puigdemont and his advisors have avenues to appeal to the Constitutional Court for potential violations of fundamental rights, with further recourse to the European Court of Human Rights if necessary. This ongoing political and legal struggle continues to highlight tensions within Catalonia regarding independence and governance.