The trial of former president and strongman in the Catalonia region, Jordi Pujol, and his seven children, for money laundering and criminal conspiracy opened on Monday, November 24, in the Madrid region. Aged 95, Jordi Pujol, president of Catalonia from 1980 to 2003, allegedly received illegal commissions amounting to several million euros in exchange for political favors during his term.
The former leader has always denied this, ensuring that the money on the verge of justice came from his father’s inheritance, which he allegedly hid from tax authorities for decades by placing it in the kingdom of Andorra, before admitting its existence in 2014.
Doctors who examined him recently estimated that he did not suffer from the disease “not in good condition” to attend, due to his pneumonia, but judges on Monday ruled that the former Catalan leader must answer their questions via videoconference from his home, at the end of the debate, which is expected to last six months.
Twenty-three years in power
Spain’s prosecutor’s office demanded the former Catalan leader face nine years in prison, while his family denounced a political cabal. His seven children were also present at the dock.
During his twenty-three years in power, during which he gained greater autonomy for his region, Jordi Pujol was nicknamed the “Viceroy of Spain” for his political influence, and advocated compromise with Madrid for decades.
However, in 2013, he supported the independence struggle, amidst the rise of the separatist movement which resulted in a secession attempt in October 2017.
