Balti Picornell walks before the Audiencia the admission of the lawsuit by Jorge Campos for alleged defamation
The former president of the Parliament has not declared this Tuesday in the courts of Avinguda de Alemania while he awaits the resolution on the appeal filed against the processing of the case
PalmaThe former president of the Parliament, Balti Picornell, has appealed to the Provincial Court the admission of the criminal complaint for alleged defamation filed by Vox deputy in Congress Jorge Campos and did not testify this Tuesday before the courts on Avinguda d'Alemanya.
Picornell assured in an interview with ARA BalearsAt the courthouse doors, Picornell asserted that he attends court "so that the case is known and does not happen to anyone else." It should be recalled that the origin of the conflict is a photograph that Picornell took in front of a mural against Jorge Campos that could be seen from 2023. As he explained before entering the court last Thursday, he does not know who made the graffiti and the image was taken during 2024 in a "humorous tone".
The former president of the Parliament already acknowledged that he subsequently reused that photograph on several occasions on social media to respond to publications by the Vox deputy. Although Campos had already publicly expressed his displeasure months ago, Picornell stated in an interview with ARA Balears that he did not expect to end up before a judge. "I knew it might bother him, but I think what really bothers them is that there are people with some influence on social media who can stand up to their discourse".
For his part, Rosell believes that this complaint fits into an increasingly common practice: using legal instruments to pursue political dissent. "It is lawfare and it is not always necessary to win the procedure, and often the process itself generates wear and tear, fear, economic costs, and self-censorship," he points out. The lawyer particularly questions that conflicts arising from political criticism end up becoming criminal proceedings. "Criminal law is the most forceful tool at the State's disposal. It is the mechanism that allows for prison sentences to be requested. It should not become a usual response to any expression that someone considers offensive".
