ARCHIVED - Catalan separatist leaders jailed for between 9 and 13 years

9 of the 12 accused are found guilty of sedition for their part in the events leading to a declaration of independence 2 years ago

Monday saw the long-awaited publication the Supreme Court’s verdicts in the trial of 12 leaders of the Catalan separatist movement for their involvement in the tumultuous events which led to a unilateral declaration of independence from Spain in the regional parliament just under 2 years ago, and by the time the details became known 3,000 additional law enforcement officers had been sent to the region in anticipation of widespread protests and acts of civil disobedience.

The sentence published by the Supreme Court shortly before 9.30 on Monday finds 9 of the 12 defendants guilty of “sedition”, although there is insufficient proof of their involvement in acts of violence to return guilty verdicts on the charge of “rebellion”. As a result, the longest jail sentence handed out is one of 13 years for Oriol Junqueras, the former vice-president of the Catalan government, with jail terms of between 9 and 12 years for the other eight convicted of sedition and, in some cases, misuse of public funds.

On learning of the verdict, Sr Junqueras tweeted “we shall return stronger, more convinced and firmer than ever”.

It is worth pointing out that the conditions of imprisonment have yet to be clarified, and it is possible that those found guilty and sent “behind bars” will in fact be in a state of “semi-freedom” almost from day one, having been held in custody for only just under two years.

Three of the accused (former Catalan government ministers Santi Vila, Carles Mundó and Meritxell Borràs) have received more lenient sentences, being barred from holding public office for 18 months and ordered to pay a fine equivalent to 10 months calculated at 200 euros per day.

In the knowledge that the publication of the sentence was imminent – in fact, even the verdicts had been leaked before official confirmation was forthcoming – the Spanish government has sent 3,000 officers of the law to support the Mossos d'Esquadra (the regional police force of Catalunya) to deal with the civil unrest which is expected. Quim Torra, the current president of the Catalan government, has repeatedly stated that the only acceptable verdicts in this trial would be “not guilty” on all counts, and he and other separatist leaders have publicly advocated civil disobedience as a response if complete absolution was not decided upon.

The worry, of course, is that marchers could be numerous enough to cause severe disruption on the roads, railways and even at the airports of Catalunya, as well as that violent incidents may ensue. Officers are already on duty at the main rail stations in Barcelona and the airport of El Prat, and over the next few days all eyes will be on Catalunya as the government anxiously waits to see how the situation develops.

The sentence also raises other interesting possibilities, such as the potential re-issue of a Europe-wide detention warrant for the self-styled “exiles” among the former leaders of Catalunya who fled the country rather than face arrest and trial following the events of October 2017. These include Carles Puigdemont, the president of the regional government at the time of the declaration of independence, who is currently living in Waterloo in Belgium.

In the meantime, the likelihood is that a great deal of attention will be given to the issue of Catalunya during campaigning and pre-campaigning for the general election which is to be held in Spain on 10^th November, with the main party leaders sure to be wooing the electorate with statements regarding the separatist movement and the exhumation of the mortal remains of General Franco, which the acting government plans to complete on 21^st or 22^nd October.

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