Catalonia spanish court jails two key pro independence leaders
A significant development in the ongoing political crisis in Catalonia!
According to reports, the Spanish National Court has sentenced two key leaders of the pro-independence movement in Catalonia to prison:
- Oriol Junqueras: The former Vice President of the Catalan Government and leader of the Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC) party, has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for sedition, embezzlement, and misuse of public funds.
- Jordi Turull: A former Catalan Minister and leader of the Junts per Catalunya (JxCat) party, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for sedition, embezzlement, and misuse of public funds.
The sentences were handed down on Monday, October 14, 2020, following a lengthy trial that began in February 2019. The two leaders were accused of playing key roles in the October 2017 Catalan independence referendum, which was deemed illegal by the Spanish government.
The sentences have sparked widespread protests and outrage in Catalonia, with many calling for the release of the two leaders and condemning the Spanish government's handling of the crisis. The Catalan government has also condemned the sentences, calling them "politically motivated" and "a blow to democracy".
The situation remains highly tense, with many in Catalonia feeling that the Spanish government is cracking down on their right to self-determination. The crisis has also raised concerns about the future of the European Union and the rule of law in Spain.
What do you think about this development? Should the Spanish government be taking a harder line on Catalan independence, or is it necessary to maintain the unity of the country?