Catalan independence movement classed as domestic terrorism in Spanish Attorney General’s annual report
26.4.2023
Question for written answer E-001380/2023
to the Commission
Rule 138
Clara Ponsatí Obiols (NI), Carles Puigdemont i Casamajó (NI), Antoni Comín i Oliveres (NI)
The Spanish Attorney General’s annual report for 2021 classes the Catalan independence movement as ‘domestic terrorism’[1]. Under the subheading ‘Violent Catalan independence movement’, it lists arrests for causing damages and arrests in connection with an ‘illegal’ demonstration and gives details of ‘violent and sabotage actions’, which include causing public disorder, blocking roads, placing banners, burning flags and even damaging Francoist symbols[2].
In light of the definitions of terrorist offences and their aims enshrined in Article 3 of Directive (EU) 2017/541[3]:
Does the Commission consider that the categorisation, by Member State authorities, of the above acts as terrorist activities is consistent with the definition of ‘terrorist offences’ laid down in Directive (EU) 2017/541?
Submitted: 26.4.2023
- [1] Memoria elevada al Gobierno de S. M. presentada al inicio del año judicial por el Fiscal General del Estado Excmo. Sr. D. Álvaro García Ortiz, 2022, pp. 416-421, https://www.fiscal.es/memorias/memoria2022/FISCALIA_SITE/recursos/pdf/MEMFIS22.pdf.
- [2] Ibid., pp. 419-420.
- [3] Directive (EU) 2017/541 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 March 2017 on combating terrorism and replacing Council Framework Decision 2002/475/JHA and amending Council Decision 2005/671/JHA, OJ L 88, 31.3.2017, p. 6.