Spain's Ione Belarra ordered to pay judge 9,000 euros for calling him corrupt
Ione Belarra has been ordered to pay 9,000 euros to judge García-Castellón for calling him corrupt on social media. The sum, three times the minimum wage, and the irony of asking for donations.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
Spain's Ione Belarra ordered to pay judge 9,000 euros for calling him corrupt
Ione Belarra, a former minister for Podemos, has been ordered to pay 9,000 euros to judge Manuel García-Castellón for calling him «corrupt» on social media. The ruling, now final, obliges the politician to compensate the magistrate for unlawful damage to his honour. The amount, exactly 9,000 euros, has become the focus of criticism: it is no small sum, but some point out that for a politician who has denounced the privileges of the «casta» (the political establishment), the financial blow is largely symbolic.
An insult repeated more than once
The conviction is not based on a one-off statement. According to the ruling, Belarra repeated the corruption accusation against the judge even after being warned of the legal consequences. Her social media comments were deemed a direct attack on judicial impartiality. Judge García-Castellón, known for investigating Catalan independence cases and figures close to Podemos, has seen his right to honour upheld.
Three times the minimum wage and the irony of the 'casta'
The 9,000-euro figure has been compared with Spain's minimum wage (SMI). «9,000 euros is a lot for someone earning only three times the minimum wage», critics have quipped, noting that Belarra always presented herself as an outsider to the political establishment. The paradox has not gone unnoticed: the leader who preached frugality must now pay a fine that dwarfs the salary of many workers.
Crowdfunding for the revolutionary cause
As the ruling became public, fundraising initiatives emerged to cover the fine. «The Garibaldi tavern has peine a donation account», was the mocking comment. The revolutionary cause is once again passing the hat around, in a gesture reminiscent of other Podemos crowdfunding campaigns. The question remains: will Belarra learn to control her verbal impulses? The awkward detail: the same person who calls a judge corrupt is now asking for donations to pay her fine.
Most shared
Related forum discussions
Ione Belarra, a former minister for Podemos, has been ordered to pay 9,000 euros to judge Manuel García-Castellón for calling him «corrupt» on social media. The ruling, now final, obliges the politician to compensate the magistrate for unlawful damage to his honour. The amount, exactly 9,000 euros, has become the focus of criticism: it is no small sum, but some point out that for a politician who has denounced the privileges of the «casta» (the political establishment), the financial blow is largely symbolic.
An insult repeated more than once
The conviction is not based on a one-off statement. According to the ruling, Belarra repeated the corruption accusation against the judge even after being warned of the legal consequences. Her social media comments were deemed a direct attack on judicial impartiality. Judge García-Castellón, known for investigating Catalan independence cases and figures close to Podemos, has seen his right to honour upheld.
Three times the minimum wage and the irony of the 'casta'
The 9,000-euro figure has been compared with Spain's minimum wage (SMI). «9,000 euros is a lot for someone earning only three times the minimum wage», critics have quipped, noting that Belarra always presented herself as an outsider to the political establishment. The paradox has not gone unnoticed: the leader who preached frugality must now pay a fine that dwarfs the salary of many workers.
Crowdfunding for the revolutionary cause
As the ruling became public, fundraising initiatives emerged to cover the fine. «The Garibaldi tavern has peine a donation account», was the mocking comment. The revolutionary cause is once again passing the hat around, in a gesture reminiscent of other Podemos crowdfunding campaigns. The question remains: will Belarra learn to control her verbal impulses? The awkward detail: the same person who calls a judge corrupt is now asking for donations to pay her fine.
Most shared
Related forum discussions
- 'El Plural' reports that Judge Peinado's vvife has been a civil servant for 40 years · 122 replies
- Vox left out of the Andalusian Parliament's Board, which will consist of PP and PSOE · 23 replies
- Is Pedro Sánchez a liar or not? · 200 replies
- The 61 JOURNALISTS the PSOE had to spread its hoaxes · 39 replies
Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (17 replies).
More summaries
-
Taberna Garibaldi: the dream workplace that wasn't
One year after setting up a union branch, workers at Taberna Garibaldi report serious violations: unpaid wages, uncontrolled hours, and a company that ignores their demands.
-
Ione Belarra launches her Madrid bid: a high-stakes gamble with no safety net
Podemos is playing its last card in Madrid: Belarra is running with polls below 3.5% and a 5% electoral threshold. Strategy or survival?
-
Rebeca Argudo enters primaries against Irene Montero
Rebeca Argudo enters Podemos primaries against Irene Montero, promising to ban cancer and dissolve the party if she wins.
-
Real estate holdings of Montse Mínguez's partner spark PSOE controversy
Sergi Vélez, partner of PSOE spokesperson Montse Mínguez, manages Nest Capital with 30 rental properties, according to Artículo14. The case reignites debate over...
-
Spanish judge targets Sonsoles Espinosa in Plus Ultra case
Judge Calama summons Zapatero's daughters and points to Sonsoles Espinosa over €1.5 million in the Plus Ultra case. The judicial net is tightening.
-
Javierito Ruiz's WhatsApp messages with Zapatero leaked amid media network claims
Leaked conversations between Javierito Ruiz and José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero spark accusations of a media network and reopen the debate over privacy, with no end to the controversy in sight.