The Gulf Time Newspaper One of the finest business newspapers in the UAE brought to you by our professional writers and editors.
Bloomberg
Catalan President Joaquim Torra said his government won’t accept separatist leaders being sent to prison for declaring independence as the region prepared for the one-year anniversary of a tumultuous illegal referendum that plunged Spain into a constitutional crisis.
A court decision due in the fall that could see independence leaders imprisoned for up to 30 years will be a determining factor for relations between the regional government of Catalonia and the Spanish central government, Torra said Sunday. His comments came as the region prepared to mark the anniversary of the Oct. 1 vote that sparked a corporate exodus and ultimately saw a failed declaration of independence.
“I presume nobody expects us to accept a conviction that’s a punishment just like that,†he told La Vanguardia newspaper. After declaring independence from Spain, Catalan leaders have either fled the country or are currently in prison awaiting sentence. Former Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont remains in self-imposed exile.