Five former Culture Ministers file lawsuit to block Sijena mural transfer

The legal action warns of potential crimes against historical heritage if the artworks are moved to Aragon.

Generic image of a museum hall with stone walls where ancient artworks are displayed.
IA

Generic image of a museum hall with stone walls where ancient artworks are displayed.

Former ministers Lluís Puig, Laura Borràs, Ferran Mascarell, Joan Manuel Tresseras, and Àngels Ponsa will present a lawsuit on March 24 regarding the Sijena murals.

The legal challenge, led by lawyer Jaume Alonso-Cuevillas, targets Judge Rocío Pilar Vargas Magallón and officials from the Aragon Government. The plaintiffs argue that moving the murals from the MNAC museum in Barcelona could lead to their destruction, violating Article 323 of the Penal Code.

"The execution of this civil sentence cannot be carried out if this act implies the consummation of a crime."

Jaume Alonso-Cuevillas · Lawyer and Professor
The official presentation will be held at the Ateneu Barcelonès and will include a speech by Carles Puigdemont. The lawsuit claims that the high historical value of the pieces requires a level of protection that overrides the current judicial order to return them to Aragon.