Spanish court reviews appeal of jailed Catalan vice-president

Judges in Spain’s Supreme Court have begun considering an appeal of a jail sentence given to the former vice-president of Catalonia over a controversial independence drive in the region.

Oriol Junqueras appeared in the Madrid court on Thursday to seek his release two weeks after he secured a seat in Catalonia’s regional parliament in the December 21 snap elections.

His lawyer said Junqueras should be granted bail to be able to take his oath as a regional lawmaker.

“What he said was that they free him, that they let him represent the people who voted for him,” Andreu Van den Eyde said, adding that Junqueras favors a “peaceful” path to achieve Catalan independence based on dialogue.

Junqueras’ leftist ERC party retained its majority in Catalonia’s parliament in the regional elections and he would remain a key figure in the region’s push for more autonomy or independence from Madrid. The separatist figure is among eight elected lawmakers of the 135-seat chamber that will not be able to be sworn in either due to imprisonment or self-imposed exile.

Junqueras served as number two in Catalonia’s former administration and was a major advocate of an independence drive that began by a referendum in early October and then culminated in a declaration of independence by former president Carles Puigdemont late that month. Viewing the entire process as illegal, the Spanish government launched a crackdown following the vote, dissolved the regional parliament and called fresh votes.

Spanish judges heard Junqueras’ appeal on Thursday and a ruling is expected in the coming days. Those opposed to granting him a bail say there is a risk that he could repeat his crimes of rebellion and sedition which he is investigated for out of prison.

SS