Spain jails two Catalan separatist leaders

Two leaders of the Catalan independence movement have been detained pending investigation on charges of sedition.

Mr. Jordi Cuixart (left) and Jordi Sanchez. Photo: Reuters.

Spain's Supreme Court on October 16 ordered the leaders of two of Catalonia's largest pro-independence groups to be jailed for sedition, demonstrating an effort to impose central government control and stop the separatist movement in Catalonia, Reuters reported.

The two men arrested are Jordi Sanchez, head of the Catalan National Council (ANC), and Jordi Cuixart, head of the Omnium movement. Prosecutors say the two leaders played a central role in organizing the September protests that led to clashes between Spanish national police and protesters. Neither Sanchez nor Cuixart has the right to bail.

This is the first arrest of key separatist leaders since the Catalan independence referendum on October 1. About 200 people showed up in front of the Catalan government building in Barcelona to show their support for Sanchez and Cuixart.

The ANC has called for more demonstrations in Catalonia today. "Spain has imprisoned Catalan community leaders for organizing peaceful demonstrations. Sadly, we have political prisoners," said Catalan President Carles Puigdemont.

Protesters demand the release of two independence leaders. Photo: Reuters.

Spain's Supreme Court also confiscated the passport and banned Catalan police chief Josep Lluis Trapero from traveling abroad while he is investigated for inciting riots, but did not order his arrest.

Mr Puigdemont signed a declaration of independence from Spain on October 10 during a session of the Catalan parliament, based on the results of a referendum on October 1 in which 90% of the 2.26 million Catalans voted in favor of independence, but postponed the implementation. Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy then asked Puigdemont to clarify whether they had declared independence within 5 days.

In a letter to Mr. Rajoy on October 16, Mr. Puigdemont did not give a "yes" or "no" answer, instead calling for two months of dialogue. He also asked Madrid to stop "all repression" in Catalonia and meet Mr. Rajoy "as soon as possible." Madrid has declared its refusal to negotiate Catalonia's independence and threatened harsh measures such as stripping Catalonia of its autonomy if Puigdemont continues the independence process.

According to VNE