Artur mas i carles puigdemont news

The judge in the Volhov case, investigating an alleged Russian plot to support Catalan independence, has refused to grant amnesty to the accused, including former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont.

Although a Barcelona court ordered in May that the case be shelved because it had been extended without justification, the judge opened a separate part of the case in June, indicting Puigdemont and another former president, Artur Mas. 

Because Puigdemont holds public office as an MP, the judge has now referred the case to the Supreme Court, asking it to take over the investigation for crimes of treason, embezzlement and criminal organization.

"Russia's efforts were aimed at achieving a voluntary separation from the European Union.

Catalan politicians used their friendship with Russia to prevent economic and social chaos," the judge says.

A controversial judge

The judge of the case, Joaquín Aguirre, has c Carles Puigdemont returns to Catalonia for first time since 2017 SAHAL