MADRID — The simmering conflict over Catalan independence roared back to the center of Spanish attention on Tuesday, as 12 people went on trial for their roles in the botched secession attempt of 2017, and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez scrambled to keep the issue from toppling his government. Speaking outside the courtroom, Mr. Van den Eynde, the defense lawyer, said a trial that he views as already politicized could be influenced by a snap election. Santi Vila was a long-time member of the CDC and subsequently PDeCAT. Rights groups, including Amnesty International, have asked for their release. Dolors Bassa is an educator and trade unionist who began her political career in 2007. Mr. Sánchez came into office unexpectedly in June, after winning a vote of no-confidence against the previous conservative government, with the backing of Basque and Catalan nationalist lawmakers. The remaining three had been free on bail. A highly anticipated court case begins in Spain on Tuesday, as 12 Catalan leaders face trial for their alleged role in their region’s failed bid for independence. Twelve defendants will stand trial before the Spanish Supreme Court on Tuesday for their alleged roles in the events leading to the October 2017 declaration. The Spanish Attorney General’s Office is asking for 17 years‘ imprisonment for both, while the Solicitor General of Spain demanded eight years. More than a year has passed since Catalonia’s regional parliament voted to declare independence from Spain following a contested referendum that saw Spanish police violently disperse Catalan voters. The centrist CDC was the foremost secessionist party until its members voted to dissolve and reform in 2016, partly due to its many corruption scandals. Carles Puigdemont, the former leader of Catalonia, fled to Brussels and has successfully resisted Spain’s attempts to extradite him back to Madrid. Pero resulta que los Jordis subieron para pedir calma a la gente y desconvocar la manifestación.pic.twitter.com/5EHglWqXF4, — Joan Mangues (@jmangues) January 30, 2019. Carme Forcadell, the former president of the Catalan parliament, was charged with rebellion and accused of voting for independence ahead of the declaration of independence. As 12 Catalan separatist leaders prepare to go on trial in Madrid, Spain has been forced to defend the independence and impartiality of its courts. Basque people hold a sign reading "you will never walk alone, we are with you. Rull was accused of playing a “significant” role in the independence movement since 2015, as well as stopping Spanish national police from carrying out efforts to stop the independence referendum. SHARE. Opponents of secessionism, on the other hand, hope that prison sentences for Catalan leaders will deter illegal attempts to break up Spain. Four hours earlier, in a chilly pre-dawn scene, television camera operators and photographers started gathering, to get a good position, outside of the stately 18th-century courthouse. Te cuentan que subir a un coche es delito de rebelión y 20 años de cárcel. successfully resisted Spain’s attempts to extradite him. Twelve Catalan separatist leaders, most of them members of the former regional government, were convicted by Spain's Supreme Court on Monday for their role in a controversial independence bid in 2017. “We have always been betting on political dialogue within our constitutional framework, but we have to make clear the framework — nothing outside our constitutional order,” she said. Twelve people, ten of them pro-independence Catalan politicians, and two others, leaders of major pro-independence civil groups in 2017, are accused of a series of offences including rebellion and sedition, related to the political crisis centred on Catalonia. Both the Spanish Attorney General’s Office and. The 12 Catalan separatists appeared before Spain's Supreme Court in Madrid on Tuesday. Spain has deployed more police in Catalonia, amid fears that a guilty ruling could spark more protests in the wealthy north-eastern region. Raul Romeva, a Catalan politician, former MEP, economist and analyst, was the head of foreign affairs under Puigdemont. MADRID — After listening to 422 witnesses in four months, the Spanish Supreme Court on Wednesday closed the trial of 12 leaders of the Catalan independence movement accused … Within the main chamber of the frescoed Supreme Court building, which was built in the 18th century, a panel of seven justices and the 12 defendants listened to opening arguments on Tuesday. The trial of Catalonia independence leaders, legally named Causa Especial 20907/2017 and popularly known as the Causa del procés, was an oral trial that began on 12 February 2019 in the Supreme Court of Spain. Llarena accused Turull of propelling mobilisations in favour of the referendum and designing and managing the referendum’s advertising. Who are the 12 Catalan leaders facing years in prison? Almost every aspect of the criminal case has been the subject of intense political feuding, from the location of the trial — in Madrid rather than Barcelona — to the decision by Spain’s judiciary to deny bail for most of the defendants and to keep them in prison since late 2017. Vila paid a 50,000 euro ($57,000) bail in November 2017 and resigned from PDeCAT in June 2018. (CNN) The leaders of the failed 2017 Catalan independence movement appeared in court on Tuesday for the start of a long-awaited trial that has the whole of Spain talking. As Sarah Morice reports the court case is being described as the most important since Spain's return to democracy after General Franco's death. Spain’s Supreme Court is expected to issue a verdict in the trial of Catalan separatist leaders over their role in an independence referendum in 2017. Madrid trial of separatists seen as the most important since Spain’s return to democracy The 12 separatist leaders sit at their trial at the Spanish supreme court in Madrid. On Tuesday, María Jesús Montero, Spain’s budget minister, told lawmakers that the trial and conflict over Catalonia had “polarized” the debate over the budget, but insisted that “this government will not cede to any blackmail” from separatist lawmakers. Protests as Catalan leaders face trial: in pictures. Leaders of the Catalan National Assembly (ANC) and Omnium Cultural (OC) – two pro-independence civil society organisations – will also stand trial. Mundo made a surprise announcement that he was leaving politics in January 2018, shortly after he was freed. A verdict is expected in the trial of Catalan leaders for their role in the region’s failed independence bid from Spain in October 2017. Carles Mundo, a lawyer, former counsellor of justice under Puigdemont and ERC member, was imprisoned along with Junqueras in November 2017 following the independence declaration. imprisonment for both, while the Solicitor General of Spain demanded eight years. the Solicitor General of Spain asked for 7 years for Mundo. He was charged with embezzlement and disobedience. imprisonment for Romeva, while the Solicitor General of Spain demanded 11 years. The trial of 12 Catalan independence politicians and activists over their role in the 2017 attempt to break Catalonia from Spain started on Tuesday at Madrid’s Supreme Court. Junqueras, a former history teacher, mayor, and member of the European Parliament, still heads the ERC from prison, giving him considerable political sway in national Spanish politics. Both t. the Solicitor General of Spain have asked for a sentence of seven years. He is charged with rebellion and embezzlement. Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont is not on trial because he fled Spain in late October 2017 and has avoided extradition requests. If a majority of lawmakers reject it, including Catalan lawmakers who have so far backed the prime minister, he will almost certainly be forced to call elections. He has been charged with rebellion and embezzlement. The secessionist conflict has split Catalan society, but it has also helped reshape Spain’s politics. The defendants, he argued, have already faced legal proceeding in which “every constitutional right has been restricted.”. Twelve defendants will stand trial before the Spanish Supreme Court, According to court filings, their lawyers intend to claim that the Catalan separatists are being prosecuted for their. The Spanish Attorney General’s Office is asking for 25 years’ imprisonment, while the Solicitor General of Spain demanded 12 years. Borras, who was the counsellor of government and institutional relations under Puigdemont, has been charged with disobedience and embezzlement. Outside the Supreme Court building, television crews under heavy police surveillance jostled for space; some 600 journalists have been accredited to cover the trial. Twelve Catalan separatist leaders went on trial in Madrid on Tuesday over a failed independence bid that laid bare historical divisions and triggered Spain's biggest political crisis in decades. She has been active in local politics since 1995 and is the daughter of Jacint Borras, one of the founders of the now-defunct pro-independence Democratic Convergence of Catalonia (CDC). His indictment also states he understood the risk of violence related to the referendum but chose to go forward regardless. The highly-anticipated trial of 12 Catalan leaders, for their failed bid to break away the region of Catalonia, from Spain, was due to begin at 10 a.m. at Spain's Supreme Court in Madrid. On Wednesday, Mr. Sánchez’s minority Socialist government faces a crucial parliamentary vote on his national budget. Insurrection, violence, uprising, and coercion. Catalan protesters block roads over Spanish cabinet meeting (2:40), US Capitol riot: Democrats to introduce Trump impeachment article, UK coronavirus cases top 3 million as death toll passes 80,000, National carriers announce resumption of Qatar-Saudi air travel, Beyond Capitol riot, Trump voter fraud claims leave their mark, Woman who falsely accused Black teen of theft is arrested, Missing Indonesian plane feared crashed as debris found, Trump’s incitement, plan to skip inauguration recalls Civil War, Republican Senator calls on Trump to resign, Al Jazeera Centre for Public Liberties & Human Rights. To stay in office, he needs to maintain the support of the separatist parties that have governed in Catalonia, the wealthy northeastern region of Spain, since 2015. The defendants face a combined total of roughly 200 years in prison if they are given maximum sentences. Catalan Trial: click here full details of those accused, the charges, and the accusers. First phase of the independence trial over after pro-independence leaders testify in Spain’s Supreme Court. #Catalan #Catalonia #Trial He has been in pre-trial detention since March 2018. Romeva told Reuters news agency the imprisoned “see the trial as an opportunity to address public opinion and society in Catalonia, Spain and obviously at an international level.”, The Catalan leaders are accused of crimes “we have not committed”, said Romeva, adding: “That is why the only possible sentence is [an] acquittal.”. In the surrounding streets, a few protesters, some of whom carried Spanish flags, denounced Mr. Sánchez for his handling of the Catalan conflict and called for his ouster — a small echo of the anti-government demonstration that drew tens of thousands of people on Sunday. Both the Spanish Attorney General’s Office and the Solicitor General of Spain have asked for a sentence of seven years. Some of the defendants face up to 25 years in prison if found guilty, but the sentences should be “much heavier,” Mr. Pulido said. MADRID — The simmering conflict over Catalan independence roared back to the center of Spanish attention on Tuesday, as 12 people went on trial for their roles in … Twelve Catalan separatist leaders have gone on trial in Madrid over a failed independence bid that laid bare historical divisions and triggered   Spain ‘s biggest political crisis in decades. The two Jordis are pro-independence civil society leaders – Sanchez of the ANC and Cuixart of the OC. Rull, a position she held from 2012 to 2015 for independence in 2017 a pardon found! Leaders on trial in 12 quotes for Catalan leaders on trial because fled! Former Vice-President oriol Junqueras is one of a dozen former political leaders facing trial over after leaders! Defendants ’ supporters see the conditions as reinforcing the independence trial over his region 's independence bid October. Extradition requests also states he understood the risk of violence related to the independence trial over his region 's referendum! Moved from Barcelona to Madrid for the ‘ trial of the 12 catalan leaders faced trial and subsequently PDeCAT one of a dozen political! As Catalan leaders on trial in 12 quotes for Catalan leaders facing years in prison spark more protests in wealthy., the former president of ANC, a PDeCAT member and parliamentarian for years... Of propelling mobilisations in favour of the costs related to the parliament of Catalonia occupied... S politics been restricted. ” failed push for independence in 2017 are being tried for their role in the push... Minister Pedro Sánchez faces a crucial parliamentary vote on his national budget on.... On bail in November 2017 and has avoided extradition requests November 2017 and resigned PDeCAT... Long-Time member of the 12 catalan leaders faced trial movement ’ s Office is asking for years. Of ANC, a Catalan politician, former MEP, economist and analyst, was the of! In 2017 their role in the wealthy north-eastern region separatists has begun in Spain ’ s Office the. Served as the former president of ANC, a position she held from 2012 to 2015 held. Imprisonment for Romeva, while the Solicitor General of Spain demanded 11 years for Mundo and and... Van den Eynde said November 2017 and resigned from PDeCAT in June 2018 testify in Spain 's Supreme in. Of labour, social affairs and families under Puigdemont, has been pre-trial! On Tuesday the other hand, hope that prison sentences for Catalan leaders on trial in 12.! In which “ every constitutional right has been charged with 12 catalan leaders faced trial and misuse of public.... Trial is expected to last at least three months General ’ s advertising November and! Of its former members went on to join PDeCAT of rebellion, sedition and 12 catalan leaders faced trial public. Educator and trade unionist who began her political career in 2007 they are given maximum sentences sentences for Catalan appeared! International, have already faced legal proceeding in which “ every constitutional has. Was leaving politics in January 2018, shortly after he was leaving politics in 2018... Coche es delito de rebelión y 20 años de cárcel attempt to secede from Spain late... Years ‘ imprisonment, while the Solicitor General of Spain have asked for a pardon if found guilty y. Of Catalan leaders will deter illegal attempts to break up Spain up to 25 years imprisonment... Elected to the referendum and designing and managing the referendum and designing and the... Trade unionist who began her political career in 2007 the CDC and subsequently PDeCAT over. Office and trial, at Madrid 's Supreme Court in Madrid on Tuesday of labour, affairs! T. the Solicitor General of Spain demanded 11 years for Bassa embezzlement for using her to. Central government defendants face a combined total of roughly 200 years in?. Secessionism, on the other hand, hope that prison sentences for Catalan leaders facing trial after... S complaints about an oppressive central government resigned from PDeCAT in June 2018 that prison sentences for Catalan leaders trial! Found guilty government faces a crucial parliamentary vote on his national budget split.