The National Court of Spain (Audiencia Nacional) has decided to order a medical evaluation of former president of the Catalan Generalitat Jordi Pujol. This is in connection with the upcoming corruption trial set to begin on November 24. The judges want to determine whether the 95-year-old politician is fit to participate in a lengthy legal process.
Pujol’s lawyers have submitted three medical reports to the court detailing his physical and mental condition. The documents note possible cognitive decline, but the defendant himself does not want to be removed from the case due to dementia. Unlike his wife, Marta Ferrusola, who was previously excused from responsibility on health grounds, Pujol insists on personally appearing at the hearings.
The defense is considering alternative options for the former president’s participation in the proceedings. One possibility being discussed is his remote attendance via video link, to avoid having to travel to Madrid. Such an arrangement could be approved by the court if doctors determine that the journey and long hours in the courtroom could negatively impact his well-being.
A case years in the making
The trial of Pujol and his family members has been postponed several times due to numerous motions and the defense’s attempts to delay proceedings, as well as the removal of sensitive documents from the case files. Now that a hearing date has finally been set, the case is in the spotlight: over 250 witnesses are expected to testify, and the proceedings could last until mid-2026.
Investigators believe the Pujol family used their political influence over decades to amass a vast fortune linked to illicit income. Back in 2014, Pujol himself admitted that his relatives kept large sums in Andorra but maintains the money was inherited from his father. Prosecutors reject this explanation, insisting the origins of the wealth are unlawful.
Potential impact on the judicial system
The results of the medical examination could prove decisive for the future of the case. If doctors declare Pujol unfit to participate, the court will need to find a balance between his right to defense and the need for a fair trial. If remote hearings are allowed, this could set a precedent for similar cases involving elderly defendants.
The Pujol case remains one of the most high-profile in modern Spanish history. Its outcome could affect not only the fate of the former president himself, but also how the country perceives the fight against corruption.
