Spain jails two Catalan separatist leaders as tensions rise again

A SPANISH  court has sent two senior pro-independence activists  to prison, without bail, who are being detained on sedition charges.

The ruling has heightened tensions between Madrid and  Cataluña again with protests breaking out in Barcelona.

Jordi Cuixart and Jordi Sanchez  are accused of stirring up major demonstrations in the run-up to the controversial independence referendum on 1 October which Madrid regards as illegal.

The two are presidents of the pro-independence groups Omnium Cultural and the Catalan National Assembly

They are being investigated over a protest on 20 September in which a crowd blocked Civil Guard officers inside a building in Barcelona, Catalonia’s regional capital.

Protests broke out in Barcelona as news of their imprisonment spread.

After the High Court ruling the Catalan government spokesman Jordi Turull said, “The state is playing at provocation.” 

Secretary general of Omnium Cultural, Jordi Bosch, said: “I’m calling for Catalan society to peacefully protest.”

Hundreds of independence supporters gathered outside Catalan government offices, singing the region’s hymn and holding signs that read “freedom for political prisoners”.

A video recorded by Cuixart before his detention was released last night on Twiter  in which he said: “If you’re watching this video, it’s because the state has decided to deny me my freedom.”

He tells separatists to “never lose hope because the people of Catalonia have earned their future”.

The activist added that his organisation would work “underground” and peacefully to further their cause.

▪️@jcuixart: “Més serenor, confiança i coratge que mai. Ens han dit tants cops que no podíem que ara ja sabem que ho podem tot” pic.twitter.com/54EUbL7qBT

— Jordi Cuixart (@jcuixart) October 16, 2017

Yesterday (Monday) the  Catalan President Carles Puigdemont failed to say whether he had declared independence or not.

Madrid wanted an answer by 10am but, instead, Puigdemont wrote a letter to Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy calling for a meeting “as soon as possible” and for talks to take place over the next two months.

Rajoy had warned that Madrid will suspend Catalonia’s autonomy if independence was declared.

“You still have time to answer clearly and simply,” said Mr Rajoy warning that weeks of instability were damaging the Spanish economy.

Spain has now given the Catalan leader until 10am on Thursday to clarify his position.

Mr Puigdemont, hit our at the government on Twitter following news of Mr Sánchez and Mr Cuixart’s detention writing, “Spain jails Catalonia’s civil society leaders for organising peaceful demonstrations. Sadly, we have political prisoners again.”

#BreakingNews!

Catalan leaders @jordisanchezp @jcuixart sent to prison without bail on charges of sedition by Spanish Court! pic.twitter.com/vwiYEiYNxH

— Ramon Tremosa ? (@ramontremosa) October 16, 2017