A witness in the Pujol case: "Someone used our Andorran account"

MadridThe accounts held by the Pujol Ferrusola family in Andorra were the focus of the thirteenth session of the trial, which has been underway for two and a half months at the National Court. The eldest son—who continues to attend every session in person—watched as the prosecutor scrutinized transactions between his bank accounts and others at Andbank, whose holders claim to know nothing about these transfers. Some even admit to having accounts in the Pyrenean country. In other words, the prosecution called as witnesses on Monday individuals who allegedly sent or received money from Jordi Pujol Ferrusola without his knowledge.

How can these events be explained? Two opposing arguments were presented during the session. On one hand, the Pujol family's defense attributes it to a bank error and denies any criminal implications. On the other hand, the prosecution believes these are "simulated transactions" to "conceal the origin" of the money and mask the illegal commissions the eldest son allegedly received. It argues that they predate the major business deals for which he was paid as an intermediary and suggests there may have been some kind of approval or collusion on the part of the Andorran bank.

One of the witnesses was Jaume Puigarnau, who had an account in Andorra. He received 30 million pesetas – 180,000 euros – in May 1993 from Jordi Pujol Ferrusola. As he did during the investigation, he maintained that he has never had any relationship with the eldest son of the former president of the Generalitat: "We know nothing, they used our account," he replied to prosecutor Fernando Bermejo. Another key figure has been Carles Serradell, who received 90 million pesetas – 540,000 euros – in December 1992. He denied having any relationship or contact with Jordi Pujol i Soley's eldest son or with Mercè Gironès, who was his wife at the time, and recalled what he told the police: "One-third should be mine, tell me where I have to go to collect it." José Luis Iriarte also claimed to know nothing about the 25 million pesetas – 150,000 euros – that he allegedly paid to the eldest son in January 1994. All of them admitted to having accounts in Andorra. However, there were two witnesses who hadn't even opened any accounts: Ignacio Maria Coll, who allegedly paid 9 million pesetas – 54,000 euros – to the eldest son in January 1991, and Maria del Carmen Pino, who received 7 million pesetas. pesetas – 42,000 euros – all those who interrupted those who broke all those who, above all, the red ones above all, those who questioned all those who interrupted those who questioned all those who overlaid those who questioned all those who broke the 42,000 euros in February 1992. That money belongs to Josep Maria Pallerola, who managed the Pujol family's accounts at Andbank, and who will have to testify as a witness in the coming weeks.

A real university project

While this part of the trial has been favorable to the prosecution's case, another matter that has been addressed has not been as supportive of the public prosecutor's version of events. Núria Villena testified about a project to bring American universities to Andorra, a "specific" operation in which she confirmed Jordi Pujol Ferrusola's involvement. She stated that she paid 10 million pesetas – 60,000 euros – to the eldest son in January 1991. "Every time there were expenses, they were charged to that account," she explained. She was the "trusted confidante" of the then head of government of Andorra, Òscar Ribas, who promoted the initiative, and that is why the account was in his name. The funds came from the Andorran Banking Association, which "paid for the entire project," and the eldest son was responsible for presenting the project and "connecting" with the universities in the United States. The project ultimately failed because the Pyrenean country "did not have sufficient infrastructure", but it was resumed in Barcelona, ​​without the participation of either Núria Villena or Jordi Pujol Ferrusola.