Jailed pro-independence leader leaves prison after being granted leave

Jailed pro-independence leaders Carme Forcadell and Dolors Bassa have left their prisons on Monday for the first time after being granted permission last week by their respective prison authorities. 

The former parliament speaker was granted three days of leave each week for nine hours each day in order to take care of her mother, per article 100.2 of the Spanish constitution. 

Ex minister Bassa was also given permission to take care of an elderly family member for three days a week. 

Last week the prison authorities’ treatment boards agreed that Forcadell could leave the penitentiary center, and also that Dolors Bassa could do the same. 

Jailed activist Jordi Cuixart left prison last week using the same article, available to prisoners classified as medium category inmates. 

The ex parliament speaker left the penitentiary center shortly before half past nine in the morning. She shared the message of "We persist," on social media, with a photo of her leaving prison.