Spain’s Supreme Court rejects pardoning Catalan leaders

OVIEDO, Spain

The Spanish Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled against pardoning any of the 12 Catalan leaders who were jailed or fined for their roles in the 2017 independence attempt.

Those up for pardon included former Catalan Vice President Oriol Junqueras, former Catalan Foreign Minister Raul Romeva, and independence activist Jordi Sanchez, who were sentenced to 13, 12, and nine years behind bars, respectively.

The Supreme Court said that none of the leaders showed any regret for their attempts to split Catalonia from Spain. Instead, the court argued, they remain firmly committed to “attacking the pillars of democratic coexistence.”

The court’s ruling also dismissed claims of “disproportionate sentences” or that any of the 12 leaders are “political prisoners.”

“They were the authors of a movement that aimed to unilaterally subvert the constitutional order, completely change the normal functioning of institutions and impose their will on the rest of their citizens,” the ruling said.

Even though the Supreme Court denied the pardons, the Spanish government has been toying with the idea of issuing its own pardons for the Catalan prisoners.

“There’s a time for punishment and there’s a time for concord … we will make our decision based on whatever helps ensure the peaceful coexistence between everyone in Spain,” said Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in parliament.

Spain’s progressive ruling coalition is backed by separatist parties, and the pardons will likely become key negotiation points.

Meanwhile, opposition leader Pablo Casado slammed Sanchez for bargaining with the separatists. “You are prime minister, thanks to the people who want to destroy Spain. That’s all you are. The price you had to pay to get into the government will be the end of you,” he said.