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

BrusselsJunts reopens the investigation into MEP-elect Toni Comín for internal complaints ofpsychological, physical, and sexual harassment by two former party advisors at the European Parliament. The Guarantees Commission of the pro-independence party temporarily suspended it on February 2, even though a resolution from the European Parliament 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 reported to ARA.

The Guarantees Commission justified the decision to temporarily shelve the investigation because Comín already had an open case in the European Parliament, even though only one of the two alleged victims reported him to the European Parliament. Furthermore, Junts' internal body argued that the ruling of 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 eventually 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 against him in the European Parliament.

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 take advantage of all the information gathered about the elected MEP in the already closed investigation for a potential new case regarding the Junts member. In any case, whatever the outcome of the Luxembourg ruling, everything indicates that the application of the 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 the questions from this newspaper either. As for the former minister, he recalled in a written message that the "procedure is confidential" and regretted that ARA has been able to learn about the developments of the internal investigation. "Whoever has broken the confidentiality of the procedure is infringing the rules," added Comín, who also recalls that he "has vehemently 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

Junts' statutes classify the violation of the party's Code of Ethics as a "very serious offense", which claims to be "intolerant to 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 foreseen in the statutes of the pro-independence party, which "are not exclusive" nor "cumulative", in the case of very serious or serious offenses, they are the expulsion of the individual in question from the party and, among other things, demanding the resignation from the institutional position. Regarding offenses considered minor, they can result in a verbal or written warning from the party.