In Catalonia, the High Court of Justice of Catalonia, the TSJC, is investigating Joan Ignasi Elena, an ERC deputy in the Catalan Parliament and former Interior Minister, as a necessary co-operator in an alleged prevarication offence linked to Altafulla, Tarragona.
The case stems from proceedings that began in Court of First Instance number 4 in El Vendrell, Tarragona. According to El País and a court order seen by Europa Press, the inquiry concerns alleged irregularities in the award of public contracts by Altafulla Town Council.
The TSJC’s Civil and Criminal Chamber has agreed to take over the investigation. The resolution, signed and notified on Wednesday, confirms the chamber’s jurisdiction and follows the view of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, given Elena’s parliamentary immunity as an elected official.
The wider case also involves Félix Alonso Cantorné, former mayor of Altafulla and a Comuns deputy in the Spanish Congress. The investigation into Elena focuses on his alleged role in facilitating the actions under scrutiny during Alonso Cantorné’s time as mayor.
The TSJC will now continue the instruction of the case. For more Catalonia-wide court and politics coverage, see our news page.