“We have seen striking legal proceedings“I would leave it there, so striking, and this audio falls within that classification,” Zapatero emphasized during an interview with Catalunya Radio. So after being asked if Aguirre should step aside after the controversy these audio images have caused, Zapatero assured that In any case, he should provide an explanation to the General Council for the Judiciary (CGPJ): “Fortunately, we will have a new Council for the Judiciary. This whole situation that we have been experiencing will certainly improve.”
Moreover, the former socialist leader has emphasized that the Amnesty Act “expresses the maximum order that can be given in a democracy, which is a law” and has urged all legal actors, senior officials and civil servants to adhere to this.
Judge Aguirre's audio: “He still has two news programs”
On the other hand, returning to the leaked audio files of Judge Aguirre, the aforementioned media have brought to light two conversations in which he openly brags about his fight against the government, despite the supposed independence that the judiciary prides itself on. “That's what they told me yesterday about the amnesty law lie down for me”, He says in the first of the audios. These statements came two days after Aguirre made a decision ignoring the request of the Barcelona court to complete the investigation extend for another six months and thus put the possibility of charging on the table Carlos Puigdemont for the crime of treason.
Three months later, the second leaked audio arrived. Aguirre's words: “Of course it will be the grave. Yes, it will be. The government has two more German news programs left. Two, and that's it, fuck it, then there are people who have already taken a position, they have taken sides, I am the side.” In this case he referred to the second order in which Aguirre ignored the order of the Barcelona court to complete the investigation.
What is the 'Voloh Case'?
The 'Voloh Case', also known as Operation Volkhov or Volhovis a judicial investigation launched in Spain on October 28, 2020 by the Guardia Civil. It focuses on the alleged embezzlement of public funds to finance activities related to the independence movement Catalan led by Carles Puigdemont.
The police operation, led by Barcelona's investigating judge number 1, Joaquín Aguirre, has come to light contacts between high-ranking political officials from Catalonia and representatives of Vladimir Putin's regime in RussiaThe investigation also concerns allegations of embezzlement of government funds, fraud and money laundering.
One of the highlights of the case is the inclusion of a phone call in which this is stated Kremlin envoys offered military support to Catalonia in the event of declaring independence and recognizing the Russian annexation of Crimea. In addition, research is being conducted into the use of public money from the Generalitat of Catalonia to keep Puigdemont in Belgium and into the relationships of those around him with people associated with the Kremlin.
Independence at stake
After both audios are published on Red.esthe reactions to Aguirre's words have followed a chain. The first of them, the former president of the Generalitat, Carlos Puigdemont. He has denounced the lack of judicial independence, as reflected in Aguirre's leaked words, and has accused him of “playing politics from his position and undermining the rule of law.” In the same way, the Secretary General of Junts, Jordi Turull, has denounced the issue Legal Affairs executed by the judge. “Very serious statements by Judge Aguirre, which demonstrate the systematic practice of litigation and likely deception.”
For his part, among the other reactions there was also that of Puigdemont's lawyer, Gonzalo Boyewho has announced that he will file a complaint for fraud against Aguirre. “All the barriers have been crossed,” he noted. Regarding the merits that the judge gave himself, pointing out that he was responsible for the undoing of the amnesty law, Boye added that “it is not Aguirre’s merit” and that “it is frantic that this success is being undone.”
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