Court Rejects Clemency for Extortion Brothers

The Higher Court's criminal chamber has rejected a clemency plea from the younger of two businessman brothers convicted of extortion, upholding their semi-liberty regime at La Comella penitentiary and denying requests to switch to house arrest or full exemption.

The decision, notified on Wednesday midday, applies to both brothers. The appellant had been on semi-liberty for months in the final phase of his four-year sentence. His sibling, serving four years and six months, started the regime on 1 December. In the plea—extended to cover both—the defence argued for replacing nightly and holiday prison confinement with home detention. They cited the appellant's good conduct, including cooperation with staff and inmates, and precedents in other serious cases where courts approved nighttime house arrest.

The brothers' convictions stem from a 2022 complaint by the former manager of Construccions Buiques, who accused them of hiring a hitman to extort him over unpaid debts. The defence had portrayed the appellant as reformed and stressed the chance to spend Christmas with family, absent for the past two holidays. The second brother may file a similar request, potentially highlighting responsibility for a minor daughter.

The chamber dismissed the appeal, imposed court costs on the appellant, and made no further comment. Authorities have not issued additional statements.