This Thursday, the European Parliament approved a resolution urging Spain to investigate the Kremlin’s possible interference in Catalonia, within the framework of a “broader strategy to destabilize the EU.” With broad support for the resolution, the non-binding text has gone ahead with 433 votes in favor, 56 once morest and 18 abstentions. Among the groups that have supported the resolution are the Social Democrats, the PSOE, a large part of the Greens/ALE, Ciudadanos and the PP.
The Ciudadanos and PP amendments, which have been approved, urge Carles Puigdemont to be investigated for his possible links with the Kremlin. The amendments mention that Puigdemont and other representatives of the Catalan independence movement “are demanding an amnesty for their alleged crimes.”
If found guilty of violating the code of conduct for MEPs, Puigdemont might face various sanctions, such as the loss of the right to allowances, a ban on participating in parliamentary activities or the suspension of his representation in the European Chamber.
Concern over Russian interference
The text approved by the European Parliament expresses “extreme concern” regarding the “alleged relations between Catalan secessionists and the Russian administration.” The resolution calls for an investigation to complement the one already underway in the investigating court 1 of Barcelona, known as the Volhov case.
The resolution also calls for investigating Latvian MEP Tatjana Zdanoka, accused of collaborating with Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB). In addition, the text calls for investigating other cases of Russian interference in the European Union, such as disinformation campaigns in Germany.
The vice-president of the European Commission (EC) for the European Way of Life, Margaritis Schinas, has described the “regular and close contacts” between Russian officials and “a group of Catalan secessionists” as an example of Russia’s interference in the democracies of the European Union.
Joaquín Aguirre, lead judge in the Volhov case, considers that there are indications that Russia was willing to support “economically and militarily” the independence of Catalonia to “destabilize the European Union.”
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