The Supreme Court rejects Manos Limpia's complaint against Irene Montero for criticizing judges for "only yes is yes"

It says that Criminal Law cannot be used to "silence opinions, no matter how bitter, unbridled or unfair" that are

MADRID, 19 Ene. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Supreme Court (TS) has not admitted for processing the complaint filed by Manos Limpias against the Minister of Equality, Irene Montero, for an alleged crime of insulting State institutions, which was based on the criticism of the leader of Unidas Podemos to the judges due for their application of what is known as the 'law of only yes is yes'.

The Criminal Chamber maintains that the statements made by Montero last November, as a result of the reductions applied by judges and courts to the cases affected by the "only if it is if" law, are protected by the fundamental right to freedom of expression in a matter of public interest and current affairs, so they cannot be considered a crime.

"Criminal law is not --and should not be-- a suitable tool to remove roughness in political discourse, nor to impose a courteous, discreet and elegant style. In a democratic State, as ours undoubtedly is, there is no room for the use of Criminal Law to silence opinions, no matter how bitter, unbridled or unfair they may seem", wields the Supreme Court.

The resolution, presented by magistrate Leopoldo Puente, adds that, "otherwise, it would cause a clear discouraging or disincentive effect in relation to the free expression of ideas or opinions, generated by the fear that it could cause to those who express them, if considered those as excessive or hurtful, the eventual imposition of sanctions of a criminal nature".