Switzerland is the new international legal front opened for the Spanish state. The confirmation that former CUP deputy Anna Gabriel will not appear in the Supreme Court this Wednesday, where judge Pablo Llarena had summonsed her under investigation for rebellion as part of the case into the 1st October referendum, has, doubtlessly, a broader impact than can be seen at first glance. Obviously, greater than some of the media wanted to reflect in these first hours, during which the general-interest Spanish press, more tabloid than serious for some time now, has been most interested in the former deputy's look. It's not the first time the trees have blocked the view of the wood and everything suggests that we're facing an interesting and intense international legal struggle which, depending on how it's resolved, could leave Spain's image bruised once the trial starts in the Supreme Court. The accusations of rebellion and sedition, charges for which there are politicians in prison and in exile, have ever less basis.
Anna Gabriel has this Tuesday confirmed something that has been a well-known secret for weeks: she's left Spain and is staying in Switzerland to hinder the legal process in the Supreme Court. The first unofficial reaction from the Swiss government hasn't been to the liking of their Spanish counterparts: political crimes have no legal basis in Switzerland and, if Spain asks for extradition for such crimes, it will in all likelihood be rejected. It's a first reaction, certainly, but still a slap to the government in Madrid's Moncloa palace. We will have to pay close attention to judge Llarena's movements; in principle he is obliged to issue an international arrest warrant and later an extradition request. In any case, it would be a very long process if it comes out in support of Spain but much shorter if it's dismissed, coming out in favour of Anna Gabriel.
The relevant implication, politically speaking, is that Spain has to pay attention to two international fronts, with the exhaustion that means: Belgium and Switzerland. There was a first failure before authorities in Brussels, but Llarena is obliged to try it again. Some months later now, the prognosis isn't better for the Supreme Court but the final result, if it's negative, could end up influencing the whole case being led from Madrid. It's probable, moreover, that in a few weeks time there will be some new central European country which ends up welcoming some other of those being investigated by Llarena. Nor will it be the last attempt to expand the conflict. The objective is for the diaspora of suspects to cover the largest number of countries possible.
The pertinent question currently which doubtlessly has to worry Spanish justice is the following: Can they construct and defend a case of rebellion and sedition in Madrid when in European countries with a long democratic tradition such charges are not contemplated in cases such as this one? There will be those who believe they can, but it's also probable that they know that the answer is no. One final note: Switzerland is the country of referendums.