MEP witness praises jailed former minister's 'commitment to democracy'

An MEP who has been called as a witness in the upcoming independence trial has come out in support of jailed former foreign affairs minister, Raül Romeva, praising his "commitment to democracy and Europeanism."

In an interview with the Catalan News Agency (ACN), Portuguese MEP Ana Gomes, who worked with Romeva during his time as an MEP in Brussels, also says that the upcoming trial of pro-independence leaders, including the former minister, has "no basis."

Rejection of observers in trial

While Gomes says she will attend the trial in which former officials and civic leaders are accused of rebellion, sedition and misuse of public funds for organizing the independence bid, she is critical of the Supreme Court's refusal to allow observers witness the proceedings.