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Graphic shows sentences for the 12 separatist leaders.
GN39607EN

POLITICS

Catalonia leaders jailed for sedition by Spanish court

By Jordi Bou

October 14, 2019 - Spain’s Supreme Court sentenced nine Catalan separatist leaders to between nine and 13 years in prison for sedition over their role in the region’s failed bid for independence in 2017.

The three other defendants in the landmark ruling, which stemmed from the holding of a referendum that had been banned and a short-lived independence declaration, were found guilty only of disobedience and not sentenced to prison.

All defendants were acquitted of the gravest charge, rebellion, but other leading separatists were quick to call the ruling an “atrocity” and an “attack on democracy”.

Much is at stake, both for Spain and for its wealthiest region, whose independence drive attracted worldwide attention, triggered Spain’s biggest political crisis in decades and unnerved financial markets.

The 12 politicians and activists had all denied the charges.

Separatists in Catalonia were planning mass civil disobedience ahead of the verdict.

Sources
PUBLISHED: 14/10/2019; STORY: Graphic News; PICTURES: Newscom, Getty, Associated Press
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