Balti Picornell: "We must not let them silence us"

PalmaThe statement of the former president of the Parliament of the Balearic Islands, Baltasar Picornell, as investigated in the case initiated by Jorge Campos, did not take place this Thursday at the Palma courts. The summons was suspended after his defense reported that neither Picornell nor his lawyer had had access to the content of the complaint before the hearing.

The procedural incident has added a new chapter to a case that Picornell interprets as an attempt at political wear and tear and intimidation of critical voices. "We must not let them silence us," he maintains.

The suspension was agreed after Picornell's lawyer, Josep Rosell, raised a question before the court that he considers essential: one cannot prepare a defense without knowing exactly what they are accused of. The plaintiff also expressed agreement with the postponement and, once the hearing was over, the defense finally received the documentation it requested. The new statement has been scheduled for June 16th at 1 p.m.

Irregular process

For Picornell, however, the feeling of defenselessness did not begin this Thursday. The first news he had of the case did not come from the court, but through the press.

"On March 10, I saw a news item explaining that a lawsuit against me had been admitted for processing. I was surprised because I had not received any communication," he recalls. For weeks he continued to read information about the proceedings without having received any formal notification. It was not until May 20 that a court official called him to inform him that he had to appear as an investigated person.

His lawyer, Josep Rosell, assures that he had never experienced a similar situation. "In 35 years of professional practice, I had never seen anyone summoned to testify without first receiving the lawsuit," he states. The lawyer considers that a "procedural anomaly" has occurred that has generated a situation of defenselessness. "If a case is being investigated against a person, that person must be able to know exactly what they are accused of and must be able to participate in the proceedings."

The facts

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 courts, 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 acknowledges that he subsequently reused that photograph on several occasions on social media to respond to publications by the Vox deputy. "He is not a person I particularly follow. When I came across certain publications of his, which I considered reactionary, I responded by using that image," he explains.

Although Campos had already publicly expressed his discomfort months ago, Picornell assures 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 impact on social media who can stand up to their speeches."

For his part, Rosell considers that this complaint fits into an increasingly common practice: using legal instruments to persecute political dissent. "It's lawfare and it's not always necessary to win the procedure, and many times the process itself already 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 powerful tool at the State's disposal. It is the mechanism that allows for prison sentences. It should not become a usual response to any expression that someone considers offensive."

The former president points this out in the same vein: "We are working people, we do not have structures or resources to face constant legal proceedings. Even if they are later dismissed, you have already lost the time, money, and worry."

According to Picornell, this is precisely the effect that he believes people like Jorge Campos are seeking. "Many people end up thinking twice before saying certain things or criticizing the far-right."

Change of life

Outside the courts, life goes on and Balti Picornell left his institutional stage almost a decade ago. In fact, Picornell's life is very different from what he had when he presided over the autonomous Chamber.

After leaving the political frontline, he returned to his trade as a metal painter and currently works as a self-employed professional. "Next year I will be fifty years old and, for now, my body holds up," he comments ironically.

He has good memories of his political experience, but also a critical view of the limitations of institutions. "We achieved many things, but I also saw the traps of the system and the difficulties in transforming certain dynamics."

He also believes that parties often condition the freedom of expression of their representatives. "Now I feel freer to say what I think." When he recalls the legislature he presided over, he especially emphasizes the ability to reach consensus. "Laws like the one on democratic memory moved forward with very broad support. Today it would be almost impossible."

Polarization and fear

Regarding the current political landscape, Picornell believes that the political and social climate has worsened in recent years. "Society is the same as politics. The polarization we see in parliaments has also moved to the streets, and that is not good," he says.

He also expresses concern about the rise of the far-right and the ability of some discourses to connect with a part of the citizenry. In his opinion, the left has not always been able to provide an effective response and has often ended up disconnected from the daily concerns of the population.

Despite this, he insists that he does not intend to change his opinions or renounce political criticism. The support received in recent weeks from colleagues, activists, and former collaborators has strengthened him in this conviction.

"When I made it public, the response was immediate," he explains. Now, with the new hearing scheduled for June 16, the defense will study the content of the lawsuit and prepare the corresponding allegations. Rosell is convinced that the case will eventually be dismissed once the Public Prosecutor's Office analyzes its content.

Meanwhile, Picornell remains firm in confronting those who want to silence dissent. "Before, they silenced us by killing us, and since they can't do that now, they do it this way. We cannot normalize this, because the day people are afraid to speak, we will all lose," he pointed out.