Catalan ministers tell of life behind bars after 32 days in prison

On November 2, eight Catalan ministers were sent to prison in Madrid for their role in Catalonia’s push for independence. The precautionary measures were later reassessed, and six of them — Dolors Bassa, Meritxell Borràs, Carles Mundó, Raül Romeva, Josep Rull and Jordi Turull — were released on December 4 after spending 32 days in jail. Yet, vice president Oriol Junqueras and Home Affairs minister Joaquim Forn remain behind bars, along with civil society leaders Jordi Cuixart and Jordi Sánchez, who entered jail on October 16.

The inmates were allowed to make one call a day, each lasting no longer than 10 minutes. Catalan newspapers often published letters by the ministers reassuring their commitment to defending Catalonia’s right to self-determination. Additionally, after visiting them in jail, the defendants’ lawyers often told the press that they were doing all right.

However, most details of the ministers’ stay in jail remained unknown until six of them were released and began to recall their experiences in their first public appearances and interviews.

Paradoxically, some of the harshest moments of their 32 days in prison came even before entering jail. While being interviewed at the National Court, Presidency minister Jordi Turull recalled how judge Carmen Lamela did not pay any attention to them. “Our lawyer was asking us questions and nobody was listening to us,” he said in an interview with RAC1 radio. “They were playing on the phone and with the computer — the judge as well.”

The decision of their preemptive imprisonment came as a surprise. At some point, they noticed that there were more police officers than normal. First, they called vice president Oriol Junqueras in. After him came another minister. “Then you learn about the prison without bail,” says Turull. “You sign a paper, and when you leave, police officers are waiting for you with the handcuffs. You offer your hands, and they tell you ‘No, we’ll handcuff you behind your back.’”

Ministers had their belongings taken away —such as belts, glasses and wedding rings— and put inside a police van. Justice minister Carles Mundó, who was handcuffed behind his back, reportedly suffered injuries on one of his hands. He also recalled that Guardia Civil police officers repeatedly played the Spanish anthem on their phones. Ministers said that they did not put the safety belt on them.