Junqueras requests transfer to Catalan prison

Oriol Junqueras, the deposed Catalan vice president jailed in Madrid, has requested transfer to a prison in Catalonia. One of the most prominent figures of the independence bid, Junqueras has been behind bars since November, accused of rebellion and misuse of public funds.

His defense team allege that keeping him 600 km away from his family undermines his rights, as well as those of his two children.

A previous transfer request was turned down by Pablo Llarena, the Supreme Court judge in charge of the case. This time, the decision will be up to the General Secretariat of Penitentiary Institutions, a body depending on the Spanish government—yet judge Llarena is expected to have a say too. If denied, his defense could appeal the decision in a high court in Madrid.

Junqueras’ request comes shortly after a similar request by Jordi Cuixart, an activist jailed in Madrid since October. More pro-independence leaders are expected to request a transfer in the coming weeks—especially those with children and grandchildren.