The Spanish authorities have pardoned nine Catalan politicians who organized a referendum on the independence of the region in 2017.
This unanimous decision was made by the Spanish Council of Ministers. However, a pardon comes with a condition: it can be canceled if one of them committed a second crime in the period from three to six years. This period is different for each of the defendants.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez commented on the event, saying that he intends to “open a new era of dialogue”:
“We live together, and together we must confront the problems and what worries us.”
He noted that no one expects supporters of Catalan independence to change their minds. They, according to Sanchez, ended up behind bars not for their position, but for illegal actions.
“I am convinced that the release from prison of these nine people, who represent the views of thousands of Catalans, will be a message of the desire for harmony and peaceful coexistence for millions of people”, – summed up the head of the Spanish government.
Catalan independence supporters believe that amnesty for nine prisoners is not enough. Those who left the country after the referendum should also be pardoned.