Spain: Amnesty applies to observe trial of Catalan independence leaders

The human rights group has written to the Supreme Court of Spain for permission to be present in court when the trial begins within the next few weeks.

A total of 12 people, nine of whom are in pre-trial detention, will be tried on charges including rebellion, misuse of funds and disobedience in connection with their role in the Catalan independence referendum in October 2017, which was declared illegal by the Spanish courts.

A senior SNP MP last night told a public meeting in Tayport that members of the party’s Westminster group may also apply to attend the trial as international observers.

The meeting was addressed by Professor Clara Ponsatí, a St Andrews University academic wanted by Spanish authorities as a former Catalan government minister. Her international arrest warrant was withdrawn last July but she faces prosecution if she returns to Spain.

Professor Ponsatí, joined on the platform by SNP MPs Stephen Gethins and Chris Law, called into question the independence of the Spanish judiciary and the fairness of the upcoming trial.

Speaking to Scottish Legal News afterwards, Mr Gethins said: “As Clara’s constituency MP, I’ve been delighted to be of assistance to her, as I would for any of my constituents. I’ve been particularly pleased by the support that’s been provided by Clara’s employers, the University of St Andrews, as well as people the length and breadth of North East Fife.

“I think it’s really important, firstly, to have dialogue, because you need to find a way through this. There are many political messes at the moment and I think that anyone would say that what’s happening in Catalonia is not an ideal situation. There has to be dialogue, people need to be treated with respect, and fundamentally I think that people also need to be able to express their political opinions without fear or favour. That’s something I’ve raised in the House of Commons.

“I’ve raised the University of St Andrews’ concerns in the House of Commons as well, and actually it’s the university’s very powerful intervention in this that, I think, is something that is really worth standing up and paying attention to.”