Spain’s Supreme Court sentences Catalan leaders for sedition

Spain’s highest court sentenced nine Catalan separatist leaders to between nine and 13 years in jail for sedition for their role in an illegal independence referendum.

The sentence triggered protests and will likely play a central role in Spain’s national elections next month.

Three other defendants were found guilty of disobedience and fined but will not serve prison sentences.

The 12 politicians and activists had all denied the charges.

Some of the leaders were also convicted of misappropriating public funds by organizing the unauthorized 2017 independence referendum and subsequent declaration of independence.

“Nobody is above the law,” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said following the verdict. In coming days the government of Spain will be watchful and will guarantee coexistence and respect for democratic legality,” he said, alluding to fears in Spain of potential unrest in Catalonia.

“Injustice has been perfected,” the former president of the Catalan Parliament, Carme Forcadell, who was sentenced to 11 years and six months in jail, said in a tweet. “Today is a dark day for democracy,” she added.

In response to the verdicts, thousands of Catalan independence supporters marched in Barcelona before blocking some streets and access to metro stations.