Spain releases 9 Catalan separatists after government decision to release them

The Spanish authorities on Wednesday released nine Catalan separatists who were serving long prison sentences. For their role in a failed attempt at independence in 2017, one day after the decision to pardon them, Spanish newspaper El Mundo said.

The newspaper pointed out that of these separatists were released from the prison "Ledoners", located about 70 kilometers northwest of the city of "Barcelona", while the remaining two were released, two women from two different facilities.

She added that despite the dropping of prison sentences, these nine are prohibited from holding any public office, and the amnesty decision stipulates that none of them commit a serious crime, according to the decision, during the next three to six years.

Yesterday, the office of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced that the pardon had been approved for the convicts during a meeting of the Council of Ministers.

Sanchez described the pardon decision as a goodwill gesture and a first step towards resolving a bitter political conflict with the Northern Territory, whose government is seeking to hold a new referendum on its independence under the auspices of the Madrid government.

It is noteworthy that these nine separatists were serving prison terms ranging from 9 to 13 years for their role in a failed attempt to independence for the Catalonia region in 2017.

The move to pardon the imprisoned separatist leaders has sparked controversy and widespread opposition in recent days, and a number of their supporters demonstrated in front of the Grand Theater "Liceo" in Barcelona, ​​considering this pardon a "trick" from the government, demanding a full pardon for the imprisoned Catalan leaders.

And the Spanish newspaper pointed out that the amnesty for the leaders of the "trials", which was approved by the Council of Ministers, has already torpedoed all the efforts of the last years of Spanish diplomacy in Europe. For the EU, the amnesty is an affirmation that the Supreme Court has made a "political ruling" and that there is indeed a "political conflict" in Catalonia.

She added, "The Spanish MEPs, of both political colours, have had the opportunity these days to exchange impressions with their European colleagues in various informal meetings, and the result is that in the European Union they interpret that the amnesty gives reason to the idea that there is 'in Catalonia' a 'political struggle'." That is why the European Union offered to act as a mediator for Catalonia after the release of the separatist leaders.