Spain's National Court rejects transferring Pujol trial to Barcelona 

Spain’s National Court has rejected transferring the trial of former Catalan president Jordi Pujol, his family, and several business figures on alleged corruption charges to Barcelona Provincial Court.

Most of the defendants' legal teams had requested the transfer during the investigation and at the start of the trial.

At the beginning of the trial's fourth session on Wednesday, the court reaffirmed its jurisdiction over the case, noting that some of the alleged crimes were committed abroad, particularly in Andorra. 

The judges said they will resolve most other preliminary matters raised – including statute-of-limitations issues and requests to annul certain evidence – in their final verdict.

They added that they do not yet have enough information to make a well-founded decision.

The trial got underway on November 24, with Pujol, 95, joining from his home in Barcelona via videolink. 

Background

On July 25, 2014, former Catalan president Jordi Pujol acknowledged that he had kept money overseas since 1980, as part of his father Florenci's inheritance. In the text shared to some media outlets, he asked for "forgiveness."

Eleven and a half years after the confession that shocked Catalonia, Pujol and his seven children are facing trial for corruption: illegal association or being part of a criminal organization, money laundering, forgery of commercial documents, tax evasion, and asset stripping.

Pujol, president from 1980 to 2003, faces nine years in prison for having around €4 million in Andorra and allegedly allowing his children to benefit from unlawful deals while he was in power.

Pujol's wife, Marta Ferrusola, was excused for health reasons and passed away in 2024.

Aside from Pujol and his family, the court will try Mercè Gironès, the ex-wife of Jordi Pujol Ferrussola, the eldest son, as well as around fifteen business people, including Luis Delso, Gustavo Buesa, and Carles Vilarrubi.

The trial is expected to run until May 2026, with over 250 witnesses and more than 40 sessions. 

Experts believe the ruling will not be announced until 2027. Once made public, it can be appealed to the Supreme Court, and later to the Constitutional Court.