Catalan president alludes to Puigdemont cabinet in MWC speech: ‘They can’t be here with us’

Catalan president Quim Torra has alluded to his predecessor Carles Puigdemont, as well as the former ministers prosecuted for declaring independence, speaking in the inaugural dinner of the Mobile World Congress (MWC), the world’s largest fair of the mobile industry.

"Two years ago, it was president Puigdemont who gave you the welcome speech," said Torra on Sunday. "Therefore I’d like to remember him and the members of his government that can’t be with us today."

While Puigdemont and some of his ministers went into exile after declaring independence from Spain in 2017, others stayed and are currently facing trial in Spain’s Supreme Court, with proposed prison sentences of up to 25 years.