Exiled former minister in Scotland begins extradition case: 'Sedition was abolished in Scotland long ago'

Former Catalan minister Clara Ponsatí, currently in exile in Scotland, began her extradition case on Thursday after handing herself in the police. She took part in the first hearing over her European arrest warrant at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

Although she turned herself in, she is expected to oppose Spain's request to extradite her on sedition and misuse of funds allegations.

Her lawyer in Scotland, Aamer Anwar, said that sedition was abolished in Scotland "many years ago."

"Sedition is a 16th century offense, that was created by kings and queens to stop a backlash of people wanting their rights," he told the press.

In Ponsatí's first hearing, Anwar is expected to argue that her extradition back to Spain would be an ''abuse'' of her ''human rights.''