Spanish president 'accomplice of repression,' says Catalan leader

The Catalan president, Quim Torra, accused Spain’s leader Pedro Sánchez of being an “accomplice of repression” after reacting to the proposed sentences by the prosecutor and solicitor general against the leaders involved in the 2017 independence push.

Torra said that the fact that the solicitor general (representing the Spanish government) lowered its accusations from rebellion to sedition “shows not a gesture, but an absolute disdain for the incarcerated democrats.”

“Does anyone think that with some 200-year prison sentences, the 2 million pro-independence supporters will disappear?” asked the Catalan leader. He claimed that after every “blow,” the pro-independence movement has become “stronger.”  

Torra made these remarks during a joint statement with the parliament speaker in the chamber, in which both rejected the proposed sentences. 

Roger Torrent, the parliament leader, said that “holding a referendum is not a crime, and the prosecutor is not acting for justice, but for vengeance.”

Torrent further deemed the proposed charges of rebellion, misuse of funds, sedition, and disobedience “unacceptable.”