Together reopens the investigation into Comín for psychological, physical and sexual harassment

BrusselsJunts reopens the investigation into MEP-elect Toni Comín over internal complaints ofpsychological, physical, and sexual harassment by two former party advisors in the European Parliament. The Guarantees Commission of the pro-independence party temporarily halted it on February 2, even though a resolution from the Eurochamber had already ruled that there was "sufficient evidence" to take the former minister to court. It wasn't until four months later, on June 5, that it decided to reactivate it, according to various Junts sources informed to ARA.

The Guarantees Commission justified the decision to temporarily shelve the investigation because Comín already had an open case in the Eurochamber, even though only one of the two alleged victims reported him to the European Parliament. Furthermore, Junts's internal body argued that the ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) this coming Thursday on the amnesty could change Comín's legal and political future. In the event that the MEP is ultimately granted amnesty, he could obtain the seat – he would have to swear or promise the Constitution in Madrid – and, therefore, a new investigation could be opened into him in the Eurochamber.

For this to happen, however, sources from the European Parliament explain that the former minister would have to receive a new complaint: the existing investigation would not be reopened, but a new one would be initiated. That said, the community chamber could use all the information gathered about the elected MEP in the already closed investigation for a potential new case against the Junts member. In any case, whatever the outcome of the Luxembourg ruling, everything points to the application of amnesty by the Spanish courts to Comín will take a long time.

Both sources from Junts' leadership and the party's Guarantees Commission have refused to make statements and explain the reasons for the decision. Neither of the two complainants has reacted to this newspaper's questions either. Regarding the former minister, he recalled in a written message that the "procedure is confidential" and lamented that ARA has been able to become aware of the developments in the internal investigation. "Whoever has broken the confidentiality of the procedure is infringing the rules," added Comín, who also recalls that he has "categorically denied the accusations" and that he "will be very happy to be able to prove his innocence before the Guarantees Commission".

The penalties foreseen by Junts' statutes

The statutes of Junts qualify the violation of the party's Code of Ethics as a "very serious offense," which claims to be "intolerant of any form of abuse or discrimination," and "minor offenses" for "disrespect towards colleagues" within the party. Furthermore, the text also provides for the "reiteration of minor offenses" as a "serious offense."

Regarding the sanctions provided for in the statutes of the pro-independence party, which "are not exclusive" nor "cumulative", in the case of very serious or serious offenses, it is the expulsion of the individual in question from the party and, among other things, demanding the resignation from the institutional position. With respect to offenses considered minor, they can result in a verbal or written warning from the party.