Twelve air traffic controllers charged with sedition following the wildcat strike have invoked their right not to testify because they contend that the matter falls under military jurisdiction following the declaration by the government of a ‘state of alert’.
On the other hand, Madrid’s Public Prosecutor maintains that the charges relate to a time before the military takeover of the airports.
In addition, the Union of Air Traffic Controllers Association (USCA) has filed an administrative appeal before the Supreme Court against the Royal Decrees 1673/2010 and 1611/2010 in which the government declared a state of alert and ordered the militarization of services civil air traffic.
Union lawyers have expressed serious doubts regarding the legality of the action of the government and the courts in the matter.
If found guilty of sedition, the accused could face a jail term of eight years.