Court Dismisses Case Against HazteOir Over 'Corrupt' Banner Targeting Pedro Sánchez

The Madrid Court of Instruction Number 12 has dismissed the legal case against the association HazteOir for displaying a large banner labeling Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez as "corrupt" outside the Congress of Deputies. The judge ruled that the banner constituted political criticism rather than criminal defamation, emphasizing that such expressions enjoy broader protection under Spanish and European courts' jurisprudence. The banner, measuring over 253 square meters, referenced ongoing legal cases involving Sánchez and was removed by Madrid's fire department after a court order.

The PSOE had filed the complaint, arguing that the banner defamed Sánchez and sought to expand the investigation to other regions and abroad. However, the judge rejected these expansions due to lack of evidence and police reports. The court highlighted that freedom of expression in political contexts must be balanced against personal honor, but criminal proceedings require incitement to violence or hate speech, absent here.

The PSOE has announced plans to appeal, asserting that HazteOir, an ultraright group, engages in provocative campaigns that damage democratic institutions and that the banner contributed to personal discredit of the Prime Minister. Despite this, the court affirmed that political criticism, even if harsh, is protected unless crossing into criminal conduct. This ruling underscores the judiciary's stance on safeguarding freedom of political expression, reflective of established rulings from Spain's Supreme Court and the European Court of Human Rights.