Catalan separatist leaders sentenced to imprisonment of up to 13 years

Catalan politicians involved in organizing an illegal referendum on the independence of the region in 2017 were sentenced to 13 years in prison.

Such a decision was announced on Monday by the Supreme court of Spain, the TASS news Agency reported.

Some of the 12 leaders of the Catalan separatist movement on trial were found guilty of sedition and embezzlement.

The maximum term was received by the former Deputy head of the government of the Autonomous region Oriol Junqueras.

The former leader of the Catalan National Assembly, Jordi Sanchez and the President of the organization “Omnium cultural” Jordi Cuixart sentenced to nine years in prison. Former speaker of the regional Parliament Carme Forcadell received 11 years and six months in prison. In addition, those in the case are prohibited from holding public office for different periods of time.

The Spanish Prosecutor’s office asked for up to 25 years in prison for Catalan politicians and insisted that they be convicted under the article “incitement to riot”. In turn, the state bar, another prosecution in the trial, spoke of a lesser crime-sedition-and asked for up to 12 years in prison for the suspects.