QUIM Torra, the former president of Catalonia, refused to attend his second disobedience trial in Barcelona on Thursday, arguing that he would not legitimise a "repressive pantomime disguised as justice".
Torra was scheduled to appear in the Ciutat de la Justicia court to be tried his refusal to remove banners from the Catalan government headquarters during the 2019 election period, which expressed support for pro-independence figures imprisoned or exiled for their roles in Catalonia’s 2017 independence referendum.
A complaint was originally filed against Torra by the unionist group Impulso Ciudadano in June 2019, following which Torra was instructed by the High Court of Catalonia to remove a banner which read, in both Catalan and English: “Freedom for political prisoners and those exiled.”
The banner was accompanied by a yellow ribbon, a symbol used by the Catalan independence movement in support of incarcerated comrades.
READ MORE: Catalan president Pere Aragones pledges to restart independence negotiations with Spain
After the former president refused to remove the banner, the complaint saw Torra ousted from the presidency in 2020 after being found guilty of disobedience – a charge which does not carry a prison term, but bars him from holding public office. The first disobedience trial ended with Torra sentenced to an 18-month disqualification.
After announcing that he would not attend what he characterised as a “political trial” this week, Torra stated that he did not recognise the legitimacy of the Spanish judiciary, which he said “does not respect international treaties or fundamental rights".
In a video statement released on social media explaining his decision, Torra reiterated that he disobeyed the instructions regarding alleged partisan displays during an election period because he believes them to be “illegal”.
READ MORE: Catalan MEPs hit out at EU Commission for meeting with pro-Union group
“I will not legitimise this farce,” Torra added.
Torra argued that the banner in question was a “in defence of human rights”, and cited examples of similar displays made in support of Ukraine, which can currently be seen on buildings throughout Catalonia and Spain.
Torra’s lawyer Gonzalo Boye argued before entering court that Torra was within his right not to appear, regardless of “the way in which the courts have treated him".
Despite not being present in court, Torra was tried in absentia. Neither the defence nor the prosecution – which is seeking a further 20 month disqualification for Torra – objected to the possibility of a third trial.
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