The Catalan authorities have criticized the court’s decision requiring former president Jordi Pujol to appear in person in Madrid for a medical examination and possible questioning. Salvador Illa, who heads the Generalitat, made a public appeal to the National Court to exercise common sense when handling cases involving elderly defendants. According to him, Pujol was recently unable to attend even a commemorative event in El Vendrell, which, in Illa’s opinion, should be taken into account by the court.
Reaction of Catalan authorities
At the celebration of Squadron Day, Illa emphasized that the distance between El Vendrell and Madrid is considerable, and the former president’s state of health does not allow him to travel long distances. He noted that Pujol personally stated his inability to attend the Pau Casals anniversary, explaining it by weakness. Illa added that he respects the court’s decision, but believes it is necessary to consider the real circumstances to avoid a purely formal approach to justice.
Position of the court and case details
The National Court has scheduled Pujol’s in-person appearance for next Monday. The court intends to conduct a second forensic examination to determine if the 95-year-old former head of Catalonia is able to participate in proceedings regarding the origin of his assets in Andorra. If doctors find him competent, the judge will proceed to questioning, but the accused will retain the right not to answer individual questions. The prosecution is seeking nine years’ imprisonment for Pujol.
Context and discussion
The question of whether elderly defendants can be summoned for in-person procedures is controversial not only in Catalonia but also at the federal level. In recent months, court decisions in high-profile cases have often become subjects of public debate, as was the case with international agreements, when Madrid’s stance on sanctions against Israel sparked disagreements among EU countries — you can read more about this in the article on Spain’s response to disagreements within the European Union.
The ceremony where Illya made his statement was also attended by Catalan Interior Minister Núria Parlon, Police Director Josep Lluís Trapero, and Mossos Commissioner Miquel Esquius. The court’s decision on Pujol is expected after the medical report, which could affect the course of the case.
