European Commission: 'no reasons to doubt' independence trial will be 'fair'

The European Commission is certain the trial against the Catalan pro-independence leaders will be "fair."

The institution's vice president, Frans Timmermans, said that the institution has "no reasons to doubt that the right to a fair trial is guaranteed."

He made these remarks responding a parliamentary question by the pro-independence MEP Josep Maria Terricabras (ERC party).

Timmermans said he has no evidence pointing to "breaches of the principle of the separation of powers or issues in relation to judicial independence in Spain."

People's Party will "control" court

The parliamentary question referred to the controversial WhatsApp messages from a senior Spanish People's Party official, Ignacio Cosidó, on the Supreme Court.

Spain’s People’s Party (PP) will "control from behind the scenes" the trial prosecuting Catalan leaders for organizing a referendum on independence, said the leaked chats from the party’s spokesperson in the Senate.

Terricabras had asked the Commission whether it would take measures to guarantee a fair trial for the prosecuted officials.

Yet Timmermans said in his response that the right to a fair trial will be "respected" in Spain.