The Fourth Section of the Provincial Court of Tarragona has closed the judicial proceedings opened following the events of October 1, 2017, in La Ràpita. The resolution, dated January 13, affects the mayor at the time, the Republican Josep Caparrós, and the then-councilor and deputy mayor, currently an ERC deputy in the Catalan Parliament, Albert Salvadó.
Both were awaiting trial, initially accused of the crimes of disobedience and administrative prevarication. This decision comes despite the resolution being appealable. However, both the State Attorney's Office, responsible for sustaining the accusation, and the Prosecutor's Office had previously shown support for applying the Amnesty Law.
With this judicial order, there are no longer any pending cases related to the celebration of the referendum for the independence of Catalonia in this municipality of Montsià.
The ruling definitively closes all cases opened for the 1-O in the municipality of La Ràpita, in Montsià, which was the scene of heavy police charges when attempts were made to close the polling station. The two politicians had requested the application of the measure for more than two years without receiving a legal response until now.
This case must be differentiated from that of Lluís Salvadó (also from La Ràpita), whose case is pending another investigation for his actions as head of the Catalan treasury. That case, where Josep M. Jové and Natàlia Garriga are also charged, is awaiting the resolution of a constitutional challenge presented by the High Court of Justice of Catalonia before the Court of Justice of the European Union.
