Judicial shelving: archived the case against three mossos for the escape of Puigdemont in 2024

The investigating court number 24 of Barcelona has agreed to the provisional dismissal of the case against three agents of the Mossos d’Esquadra investigated for their alleged involvement in the escape of Carles Puigdemont after his visit to the city in August 2024. 

The magistrate considers that “there are no sufficient indications” to sustain that the agents acted coordinately with the objective of facilitating the escape. In the judicial order it is underlined that the existence of no operational link nor prior planning between the investigated and the former president could not be demonstrated.

The events date back to the act held on the paseo Lluís Companys in Barcelona, coinciding with the investiture session of Salvador Illa in August 2024. After his public intervention, Puigdemont left the place and managed to evade the authorities, subsequently moving outside of España.

During the investigation, the judge has analyzed recordings, testimonies and possible communications, without finding conclusive evidence. In fact, she highlights that no messages, calls or contacts were detected between the investigated agents and Puigdemont before, during or after his escape, which weakens the hypothesis of cover-up.

In relation to the witnesses, the resolution states that some perceived the agents “attentive” to what was happening, but none could confirm concrete actions of help. The magistrate recalls that the Penal Code requires active acts, such as concealing or facilitating the escape, to consider it a crime, and does not sanction mere passivity.

Despite the dismissal, the case is not final. The popular accusations, among them Vox and Hazte Oír, can still file a motion for reform or appeal. Meanwhile, the resolution leaves the three investigated mossos without criminal responsibility and closes, at least provisionally, an investigation that has not managed to sustain the initial suspicions.