MADRID — The Supreme Court of Spain on Monday upheld a ruling barring the separatist leader of Catalonia from public office, a decision that could renew tensions in … “This has been a judicial process with full guarantees and transparency.”, “The government of Spain will work in the coming days toward guaranteeing public order and protecting our democratic laws as it has always done.”. For Catalonia,” Puigdemont, a former regional president of Catalonia, said in a statement on Twitter. In the Spanish case, a significant part of such context has been shaped by the Constitutional Court. In addition, the minimum quorum the Constitutional Court needs to have in order to be operational is 8 magistrates. BARCELONA, Spain — A Spanish Supreme Court judge on Friday ordered five Catalan politicians to be detained without bail, a decision that reignited tensions in … Catalonia's outgoing regional president, Quim Torra, waves to the crowd as he leaves the Generalitat Palace in Barcelona, Spain on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. Nobel prize laureates join peace campaigners call for Spain-Catalonia dialogue. MADRID - Spain’s Supreme Court has revoked a less restrictive prison status awarded to nine Catalan political figures previously sentenced to jail for their part in a secession attempt in Catalonia. Oriol Junqueras is one of a number of separatists facing charges who were elected as MEPs last month The Court that decided on the political future of Catalonia and the entire Spain consists of only 10 magistrates of the 12 the Court is supposed to have and 4 of them being in their 12th year of mandate (when according to the Spanish Constitution the mandates last 9 years). Once Aragonès has been appointed in the role, it will fall to the parliamentary speaker, Roger Torrent, to speak to all of the groups in the parliament and propose a new candidate. “The political leaders and associates hid behind the imaginary right to self-determination to pressure the government into a negotiation for a popular vote.”. But Puig’s lawyers argued that the EAW had been issued by the Spanish supreme court, which does not have the power to do so. The news caused mass rallies in Barcelona, where protesters have blocked train and … © REUTERS/Sergio Perez Spain’s Supreme Court has upheld a decision to remove Catalan separatist leader Quim Torra from his position as head of the autonomous region. Although Spain’s top court did the same to former Catalan premier Artur Mas for organizing the unauthorized referendum on Catalan independence of November 9, 2014, at the time of the ruling Mas was no longer in power. (Bloomberg) -- Spain’s Supreme Court has barred Catalonia’s regional president from office for 18 months, adding a further dose of instability to a country immersed in its worst economic crisis in living memory. The same is expected of the Supreme Court. These individuals were being held in custody while their trial for offenses including sedition and misuse of funds was heard in the Supreme Court. The vote would take place 54 days after the publication of the decree in the official regional gazette, according to Spanish electoral law – 40 years after being reestablished, the regional government has still not passed a Catalan electoral law. “A total of 100 years of prison. For democracy. The status would have allowed them almost daily release. Aragonès’s powers will be limited however, and he will not, for example, be able to appoint or dismiss regional ministers, nor will he be able to call elections. Protests have erupted in Barcelona after Spain's Supreme Court sentenced nine Catalan separatist leaders to between nine and 13 years in prison. For the future of our sons and daughters. Spain: Court annuls daily releases for Catalan secessionists December 4, 2020 MADRID (AP) — Spain’s Supreme Court has revoked a less restrictive prison status awarded to nine Catalan political figures previously sentenced to jail for their part in a secession attempt in Catalonia. The top Catalan officials were given longer sentences. It is expected that he will announce that it is impossible to choose a candidate and this will serve to start the clock for regional elections to be held. The Supreme Court's decision to uphold Mr Torra's 18-month ban triggered immediate calls for protests. Now more than ever, we will be with you and your families. Oct. 14, 2019 at 4:12 p.m. UTC MADRID — Spain’s Supreme Court sentenced nine Catalan separatist leaders Monday to prison terms of between nine and … The head of the opposition in the parliament, Ciudadanos leader Carlos Carrizosa, has called on the Popular Party (PP), the Catalan Socialist Party (PSC) and the other groups to join forces and present an alternative candidate. They called on the Spanish government to negotiate a different solution. Quim Torra became regional premier in May 2018 after his predecessor, Carles Puigdemont, was ousted from office under Article 155 of the Constitution, which was activated by the Spanish government in the wake of the 2017 illegal referendum on independence and subsequent unilateral declaration of independence passed by the Catalan regional government. MADRID — Spain’s Supreme Court sentenced nine Catalan separatist leaders Monday to prison terms of between nine and 13 years on charges of sedition, a ruling that triggered immediate protests and a police response. The status would have allowed them almost daily release. He The unanimous sentence is … The case was tried by seven judges and was chaired by judge Manuel Marchena. In the Spanish case, a significant part of such context has been shaped by the Constitutional Court. Spain’s Supreme Court disqualified the Catalonia president Quim Torra from his post for 18 months. In Spain, the extreme right and Spanish nationalist Vox party, more than doubled its seats, campaigning for recentralization. The ruling looks set to play a role in Spanish elections in early November, the fourth vote the country has held in four years. “Prison is not the solution,” the group said in a statement. Spain's supreme court upheld a ruling Monday that prevents Catalonia's leader from holding public office. In October of last year, the defendants were found guilty and nine of them were given lengthy prison sentences. There are two political parties in the Spanish parliament that support Catalan independence, and it was unclear how the verdict in the Catalan trial would affect the upcoming election. Spain's Supreme Court has barred Catalonia's regional president from his office for refusing to remove a banner calling for the release of separatist leaders from prison that was displayed on a public building ahead of the 2019 general election (AP … 14 Oct 2019 11:57 GMT . 9 Nov 2014 vote on independence Artur Mas Catalan Independence Irene Rigau Joana Ortega Spanish High Court in Catalonia (TSJC) Spanish Supreme Court. Torra also freely admitted during the trial that he had disobeyed the JEC’s orders. Once Torra has been removed, the Catalan government will meet to approve a decree appointing Aragonès to the role. After the ruling, Junqueras said Monday that Catalan independence was “closer than ever.” His comments were relayed by his Republic Left party. The Supreme Court rejected Torra’s appeal based on the precedents set in the case against Mas, as well as former deputy Francesc Homs, who was also barred from public office for his involvement in the 2014 referendum. Spain on Monday renewed its extradition request for Puigdemont. “In a social and democratic state of law, compliance means full compliance,” Sánchez told reporters. The magistrates found that the premier disobeyed the order from the JEC, “which in its role to guarantee the transparency and objectivity of electoral campaigns, prohibited their use.” According to the court, Torra’s attitude violated the principles of neutrality that administrations must adhere to and “contravened express orders from the electoral board.”. MADRID -- Spain's Supreme Court has revoked a less restrictive prison status awarded to nine Catalan political figures previously sentenced to jail for their part in a secession attempt in Catalonia. Torra, who is a lawyer by trade, was elected as a regional deputy in 2017 as an independent candidate for the pro-independence Together for Catalonia (JxCat)bloc. Exclusive by Greg Russell @National_Greg Journalist. HSBC moved scam millions, big banking leak shows. Torra must also pay a fine of 30,000 euros for his "forceful, … In a statement, the Catalan Civil Society urged local authorities “not to call for confrontation.” But others, such as FC Barcelona, one of the world’s most popular soccer teams, objected to the sentences. This is the first time the Spanish Supreme Court has barred an acting Catalan premier from office. The Spanish Supreme Court isn’t trying to make an example of Catalan secessionist leaders by handing down tough sentences. Could Catalonia make a success of independence? The Supreme Court sentence will involve a provisional handover of the premiership until elections are held. The Spanish Supreme Court on Monday upheld an 18-month ban from public office handed down to Catalan premier Quim Torra for disobedience. This browser is no longer supported. According to Article 1 of the 1978 Spanish Constitution, “national sovereignty belongs to the Spanish people from whom all State powers emanate”. RELATED: Spanish Justice To Process Requests for Pardons for Catalans. According to Article 1 of the 1978 Spanish Constitution, “national sovereignty belongs to the Spanish people from whom all State powers emanate”. Three other defendants were found guilty of disobedience, which means they will be fined but not serve prison time. No parliamentary sessions are scheduled until October 7, but one could be held before. Europe’s top court ruled Thursday that a former vice president of Spain’s Catalonia region who is serving a prison sentence for launching a banned independence referendum should … Protests erupted in Catalonia early on Tuesday, a day after Spain’s Supreme Court sentenced nine pro-independence Catalan leaders to prison terms of up to 13 years for sedition and other offences. In its sentence, the Supreme Court highlighted that Torra is free to exhibit symbols and banners that reflect his political identity but not during an election campaign. Catalonia has been shaken by the turbulent aftermath of a Supreme Court decision to jail the Spanish region’s separatist leaders. Protests have erupted in Barcelona after Spain's Supreme Court sentenced nine Catalan separatist leaders to between nine and 13 years in prison. This initiative is unlikely to prosper, however, due to the lack of support of smaller groups, and pro-independence forces have also stated that they will also not propose a candidate to replace Torra. The status would have allowed them almost daily release. MADRID (AP) — Spain's Supreme Court has revoked a less restrictive prison status awarded to nine Catalan political figures previously sentenced to jail for their part in a secession attempt in Catalonia. Torra also refused to remove esteladas – the unofficial flag adopted by supporters of Catalan independence – and yellow ribbons – a symbol of support for the jailed separatist leaders – from buildings belonging to the regional government. May 4, 2019 4:07 pm. The Spanish Supreme Court ruled on Monday that Torra violated electoral law, paving the way for his immediate removal as the region’s separatist leader. Junqueras ultimately received 13 years, the longest sentence the court handed down. The Spanish government, which was set to move forward with a criminal code reform that would alter the crime of sedition by the end of the year, may be pursuing the change in 2021 after all. The ruling marks a decisive milestone after Spain’s gravest political crisis in four decades. On December 19, the Catalan High Court found Torra, a hard-line supporter of Catalan independence, guilty of disobedience for failing to remove banners supporting jailed separatist leaders from public buildings during campaigning ahead of elections. The Catalan premier was ordered to take down the signs by Spain’s National Electoral Board (JEC), which argued they violated the rules on maintaining neutrality during election campaigns. To visit EL PAÍS with the best experience, update it to the latest version or download one of the following supported browsers: The Spanish Supreme Court on Monday upheld an 18-month ban from public office handed down to Catalan premier Quim Torra for disobedience. But the acting government in Madrid urged respect for the rule of law. Oct. 14, 2019 at 4:12 p.m. UTC MADRID — Spain’s Supreme Court sentenced nine Catalan separatist leaders Monday to prison terms of between nine and … Catalan politician Jordi Turull arrives to the Supreme Court after being summoned and facing investigation for his part in Catalonia's bid for independence in Madrid, Spain, March 23, 2018. In the lead up to the May 26 elections, Torra refused to take down a banner from the Palau de la Generalitat, the seat of the Catalan government, which carried messages calling for the release of the politicians and civic association leaders involved in the 2017 secessionist drive in Catalonia. Protests erupted in Catalonia early on Tuesday, a day after Spain’s Supreme Court sentenced nine pro-independence Catalan leaders to prison terms of up to 13 years for sedition and other offences. MADRID — Spain’s Supreme Court on Monday convicted 12 Catalan separatist leaders of sedition, disobedience and misuse of public funds and sentenced them to prison terms of up to 13 years for spearheading the region’s failed secession push in October 2017. The court said Friday that such a measure was “premature” given that none of the […] The status would have allowed them almost daily release. Supreme Court of Spain in Madrid. MADRID -- Spain's Supreme Court has revoked a less restrictive prison status awarded to nine Catalan political figures previously sentenced to jail for their part in a secession attempt in Catalonia. The court also dismissed claims that the accused were prosecuted for their political beliefs rather than their extralegal actions, pointing out that pro-independence political parties already participate in regional and national parliaments. In addition, if he had been turned over by the Belgian court, he would have stood trial before the Supreme Court, whereas only a court in Catalonia is empowered to try him. Oriol Junqueras also faces charges of sedition and misuse of public funds for independence bid fled to Belgium after calling the 2017 referendum. The date for regional elections will depend on when Torrent announces that a new candidate cannot be found. 22nd January 2019 24th January 2019 568. Barcelona released a statement criticizing a recent Spanish Supreme Court decision that saw 12 political activists jailed for their role in the 2017 push for Catalan independence. Spain's Supreme Court barred Monday Catalonia’s regional president from his office for refusing to remove a banner that called for the release of … The verdict argues that he did not comply with an Electoral Board's order, which requested him to remove banners supporting Catalan political prisoners. The Supreme Court’s ruling rejected the argument, widely circulated in Catalonia, that Spain violated civil rights by not honoring the results of the October 2017 referendum. Pedro Sánchez, Spain’s acting Socialist prime minister, defended the ruling and vowed that his government would “guarantee the complete fulfillment” of the sentences, a signal that he would not grant pardons as some on the right had anticipated. Pascual Sala, a former president of Spain's Supreme Court, has today said that "it's impossible that there's rebellion" in Catalonia.He also raised doubts about the charges of sedition in the case investigating the events surrounding last year's referendum in Catalonia. Exclusive 'As the precedents in Quebec and Scotland show, the very best way to resolve political conflicts of this nature is to use the most basic tool democracy has to offer: voting' 6 comments. Police cordoned off streets and halted public transportation in Barcelona, the Catalan capital, as thousands of protesters marched at major transit hubs, including the city’s international airport. Is the Catalan separatist trial in Spain about law or politics? The 2017–2018 Spanish constitutional crisis, also known as the Catalan crisis, was a political conflict between the Government of Spain and the Generalitat de Catalunya under former President Carles Puigdemont —the government of the autonomous community of Catalonia until 28 October 2017—over the issue of Catalan independence. MADRID -- Spain's Supreme Court barred Monday Catalonia’s regional president from his office for refusing to remove a banner that called for the release of imprisoned separatist leaders and was displayed on a public building ahead of the 2019 general election. “Political leaders were condemned to 100 years in jail because they held a vote,” he said, referring to the cumulative length of the sentences. “Political leaders were condemned to 100 years in jail because they held a vote,” he said, referring to the cumulative length of the sentences. Sánchez was unable to form a government after winning a general election in April, largely because of a standoff with smaller parties on the far left and political center. © REUTERS/Sergio Perez Spain’s Supreme Court has upheld a decision to remove Catalan separatist leader Quim Torra from his position as head of the autonomous region. The status would have allowed them almost daily release. Spain's Supreme Court has barred Catalonia's regional president from his office for refusing to remove a banner calling for the release of separatist leaders from prison that was displayed on a public building ahead of the 2019 general election (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) 1 of 6. The trial of Catalonia independence leaders, legally named Causa Especial 20907/2017 and popularly known as the Causa del procés, was an oral trial that began on 12 February 2019 in the Supreme Court of Spain. Barcelona News Catalonia News Madrid News Main News Pre-trial hearing set for former Catalan police chief. Spain’s Supreme Court has confirmed the decision of the Spanish Superior Court of Justice in Catalonia to oust Catalan President Quim Torra for having hung a banner in support of Catalan political prisoners during an election campaign. AP-EU-Spain-Catalonia- MADRID (AP) — Spain's Supreme Court has revoked a less restrictive prison status awarded to nine Catalan political figures previously sentenced to jail for their part in a secession attempt in Catalonia. But the ruling did not convince a number of Catalan leaders, including Carles Puigdemont, the principal architect of the 2017 referendum. The most important news stories of the day, curated by Post editors and delivered every morning. Spain’s Supreme Court has confirmed the decision of the Spanish Superior Court of Justice in Catalonia to oust Catalan President Quim Torra for having hung a banner in support of Catalan political prisoners during an election campaign. But he does have one last option: the politician could appeal for protection from the Constitutional Court and ask that the sentence be suspended. In response to Monday’s ruling, separatist sympathizers in Catalonia vowed massive demonstrations in a rejection of the sentences. The court said Friday that such a measure was “premature” given that none of the […] Spain’s Supreme Court has barred Catalonia’s regional president from office for 18 months, adding a further dose of instability to a country immersed in its worst economic crisis in living memory. The Supreme Court’s decision means that Torra will be barred for 18 months from both public office, be it at a local, regional, state or European level, and from local, regional and national government. There is also uncertainty over how political parties and the Catalan independence movement will react to the decision, and whether it will lead to street protests. fled to Belgium after calling the 2017 referendum. A 2017 referendum on Catalan independence, which Madrid deemed illegal, and the subsequent trial of those behind it have split Spanish society like no other events since the country’s democratic transition in the mid-1970s after the death of dictator Francisco Franco. Under this scenario, Pere Aragonès will be able to call elections despite still being acting premier. The 18-month ban from public office is definitive, meaning Torra will be forced to step down as Catalan premier in the coming days, Sign up to EL PAÍS in English Edition bulletin, barred Torra from public office for 18 months, Spanish government to consider pardon requests for jailed Catalan separatists, Catalonia Day celebrations highlight divisions between separatist parties, Court suspends flexible prison scheme for Catalan separatist leaders, WhatsApp confirms 2019 attack on Catalan politician’s cellphone. Catalonia's regional leader Quim Torra arriving at Spain's Supreme Court. “We tended to think that this was something impossible in 20th-century Europe; now we see that it is possible,” Alfred Bosch, Catalonia’s minister for foreign action, institutional relations and transparency, told The Washington Post. For Europe. Once two months have passed without a new candidate being voted in, parliament will automatically be dissolved. Spanish prosecutors initially sought a prison term of 25 years for Oriol Junqueras, Catalonia’s former vice president and the highest-ranking Catalan official on trial. The Catalan High Court – which first found the Catalan premier guilty of the accusations – has already begun the process to execute the sentence and has notified Torra’s attorney that the politician is barred from office from today onward. Spanish supreme court blocks newly elected Catalan separatist MEP from taking seat. At least one Catalan group said it would respect the court’s ruling. A lower court in Madrid ruled on Saturday that Puigdemont’s appeal against his exclusion from the election should … MADRID — Spain’s Supreme Court has revoked a less restrictive prison status awarded to nine Catalan political figures previously sentenced to jail for their part in a secession attempt in Catalonia. These will not take place until at least four months have passed, on January 31 or February 7, but until then several processes will have to be met. Spain's Supreme Court sentences nine, including former Catalonian vice president Oriol Junqueras, over independence bid. Fugitive Catalan leader, wanted for rebellion, is running for office by Skype, For some, Catalonia crackdown evokes memories of the dark days of Spain’s dictatorship, Today’s coverage from Post correspondents around the world, Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news. The law sets out a 10-day period for this. Spain's Supreme Court barred Monday Catalonia’s regional president from his office for refusing to remove a banner that called for the release of … “It’s either going to get the pro-independence political parties more votes, or people will come to the conclusion that we’ve been through this now, we have a sentence, and they won’t get votes,” said William Chislett, an analyst at the Elcano Royal Institute, a Madrid think tank. “This has been a judicial process with full guarantees and transparency.”, “The political leaders and associates hid behind the imaginary right to self-determination to pressure the government into a negotiation for a popular vote.”. The Spanish Supreme Court will decide if the fugitive Catalan leader, Carles Puigdemont, can run in the European Parliament election. The 18-month ban from public office is definitive, meaning Torra will be forced to step down as Catalan premier in the coming days. MADRID — Spain’s Supreme Court has revoked a less restrictive prison status awarded to nine Catalan political figures previously sentenced to jail for their part in a secession attempt in Catalonia. The deputy premier of Catalonia, Pere Aragonès, will replace Torra under the regional government’s statutes. By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, Former foreign correspondent focusing on French and European politics and culture. “Which way it’s going to go is anybody’s guess,” he said. Catalonia crisis: Spanish supreme court refuses to release former Vice President accused of rebellion. Criminal code reform. The unanimous sentence is definitive and means that Torra will have to step down as premier, paving the way for a fresh institutional crisis in Catalonia. The Catalan High Court barred Torra from public office for 18 months and ordered him to pay a fine of €30,000 and the legal costs of the trial. When asked, Sánchez said the goal was to be able to present the amendment "next year." However, this would be an unprecedented move: the Constitutional Court has never before accepted this request in cases of public office bans. Catalan officials attacked what they considered harsh sentences, although all 12 defendants were acquitted of the more serious charge of rebellion. Top Stories. “They knew that a break with the state requires something more than a stubborn repetition of slogans directed to a part of the citizenry that trusts innocently in the leadership of their political representatives,” the court’s ruling read. Political analysts viewed the vote in the context of Spain’s mounting political fragmentation. The supreme court proceeded to ignore the UN ruling and has now imposed sentences that are designed to crush the Catalan independence movement – … The status would have allowed them almost daily release. Catalonia's regional leader Quim Torra arriving at Spain's Supreme Court. How horrible. Catalonia; Spain; More on this story. (Bloomberg) -- Spain’s Supreme Court has barred Catalonia’s regional president from office for 18 months, adding a further dose of instability to a country immersed in … The court concluded that the central government had a clear right to protect Spain’s “territorial integrity” and questioned the democratic value of a vote called outside the law “without the slightest guarantees or transparency.” The court accused the Catalanleaders who staged the 2017 referendum of misleading a vulnerable public. Torra appealed the decision at the Supreme Court, but on Monday, its magistrates upheld the sentence, arguing that the Catalan premier had “stubbornly and obstinately” refused to observe the orders from the JEC. SiE Newsdesk / ACN / Catalan News 22nd January 2019 24th January 2019. It remains to be seen whether Torra will respect the Supreme Court ruling and leave his post as premier. Catalonia has been plunged into turmoil again by Spain’s removal of its regional president, Quim Torra, and his separatist party’s refusal to call a snap election. The Supreme Court of Spain found on Monday that nine of the twelve officials, who organised the referendum, were guilty of treason, rebellion, and misuse of public funds. Catalan voters backed leaving Spain in the referendum, but low turnout and a lack of observers cast doubt on the legitimacy of the results. Published 22 December 2017 . It is merely upholding the country’s constitution.