A FORMER speaker of the Catalan Parliament is to be investigated for allowing MPs to vote against the Spanish monarchy and for Catalonia’s self-determination.
The move against Roger Torrent by the High Court of Catalonia (TSJC) mimics what happened to his predecessor Carme Forcadell, who was jailed for more than 11 years for allowing a parliamentary debate and vote on Catalan independence.
Torrent is being investigated for allowing MPs to vote against the monarchy and for Catalonia’s self-determination in autumn 2019.
The TSJC has accepted a criminal lawsuit from Spain’s public prosecutor against Torrent and three of his former colleagues at the parliament bureau – Josep Costa, Eusebi Campdepadros, and Adriana Delgado – all of whom are members of the two ruling pro-independence parties, Together for Catalonia (JxCat) and the Republican Left (ERC).
All are charged with the crime of disobedience and could be barred from public office if found guilty.
Torrent, from the ERC, was succeeded as speaker last week by JxCat’s Laura Borras who, as a Spanish MP, was fiercely critical of prime minister Pedro Sanchez.
She was backed by the pro-independence lobby which boosted its majority in the February 14 election, winning 74 of the chamber’s 135 seats.
The charges against Torrent allege that he contravened Spain’s Constitutional Court and authorised votes that were deemed unlawful.
Motions were passed on November 12, 2019, with amendments on November 26, and backed by the pro-indy parties who held a majority of seats.
One said the parliament “reiterates and will reiterate as many times as MPs choose the disapproval of the monarchy, the defence of self-determination and the affirmation of the sovereignty of the people of Catalonia to decide their political future”.
Torrent’s case is the latest in Spain’s growing list of investigations aimed at destabilising the Catalan indy movement. Last year president Quim Torra was sacked after the Supreme Court upheld a previous sentence for disobedience.
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