Barcelona: Hundreds of thousands call for the release of Catalan politicians

Eight Catalan politicians have been in custody for weeks, and they are accused of turmoil and rebellion. One of them could compete in the regional election in December.

Barcelona: Hundreds of thousands call for the release of Catalan politicians

Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators have called for release of eight separatist politicians in Barcelona. They were detained after independence decision of Catalan regional parliament. The public initiative of Catalan National Assembly (ANC) and cultural association Òmnium Cultural had called for big rally on Saturday afternoon. According to Catalan police, 750,000 people have come to demonstration.

Among or things, demonstrators called for release of "Two Jordis". This meant ANC chief Jordi Sánchez and Jordi Cuixart, DerLeiter of Òmnium cultural. Both were on 16 October due to "inflammatory behavior" in Madrid Festgenommenund have been sitting in custody ever since.

Numerous participants held signs with inscription "Freedom for political prisoners" in ir hands, ors waving Estelada, flag of Catalan independence movement. With a view to central government in Madrid, demonstrators shouted, "Get out with occupying Power!"

Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau accused exiled Catalan leadership of having driven region into a "disaster." "They provoked tension and unilaterally declared independence, which majority does not want," said Colau at a meeting with party members, before she also called for release of prisoners during protest march. The 43-Jährigehatte was already pronounced before independence referendum against a split of Spain.

Does imprisoned Junqueras as a top candidate?

After a referendum on secession of region of Spain on 1 October, situation in Catalonia was out of control. Although a majority voted for independence at that time, it was unclear for weeks wher regional government of Carles Puigdemont would actually be able to do so. The government of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy finally discharged regional government at end of October and took control of Catalonia. The former head of regional government, Puigdemont, sat down toger with four or politicians in Brussels. The Spanish government announced a reelection in Catalonia for 21st of December.

The party of deposed Catalan vice Regierungschefs, Oriol Junqueras, wants to make him a top candidate in forthcoming regional elections. This is reported by news agency Europa Press, citing insiders from leftist nationalist party Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC). As well as Jordi Sánchez and Jordi Cuixart, Junqueras is currently imprisoned. The former regional ministers of ERC, who are also in detention or have departed to Brussels toger with Puigdemont, would also be on list, it was said.

On Friday, deposed parliamentary president Carme Forcadell had been released from custody after a deposit of 150,000 euros. All detained politicians are threatened with long prison sentences. They are accused of rebellion, turmoil and misappropriation of public funds. Even Puigdemont had announced, despite his problems with judiciary, to be available as top candidate of his party Partit Demòcrata Europeu Català.

Date Of Update: 12 November 2017, 12:02
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