Investigation into Operación Cataluña: Trias and Junqueras testify

Monday 19 May 2025 - 11:20

By: Dakir Madiha

Investigation into Operación Cataluña: Trias and Junqueras testify

Xavier Trias, the former mayor of Barcelona, and Oriol Junqueras, the ex-vice president of the Generalitat and leader of ERC, appear today before the congressional committee investigating the so-called "Operación Cataluña." This case revolves around allegations of espionage and the fabrication of evidence against pro-independence leaders.

In recent weeks, Trias has indicated his intention to file another lawsuit against those he believes are responsible for this alleged conspiracy. This follows his prior legal action in 2017, where he accused former police commissioner Eugenio Pino of defamation for persistently suggesting that Trias held a bank account in Switzerland.

This afternoon, Junqueras will also provide testimony to the committee. He has voiced concerns that despite the mounting evidence and recordings pointing towards the existence of "Operación Cataluña," the judiciary has yet to take action to investigate the matter.

The investigation marks a significant moment in the ongoing political tensions in Spain. Trias and Junqueras are stepping into the spotlight previously occupied by former Catalan president Artur Mas, who last week filed a lawsuit claiming that the government of Mariano Rajoy orchestrated "Operación Cataluña" as a means to politically eliminate him through a "genuine persecution," utilizing police resources to create "false evidence."

The implications of these testimonies could reverberate throughout Spain’s political landscape, further igniting debates surrounding transparency, justice, and the treatment of Catalan independence advocates.