Forn requests freedom again but Spanish prosecutor opposes it

Catalonia’s former home affairs minister Joaquim Forn has once again asked the Spanish Supreme Court judge Pablo Llarena for his freedom on Tuesday.

Llarena, who is overseeing the case against pro-independence leaders, is yet to announce whether he will let Forn walk free or not but Spain’s prosecutor is opposed to giving Forn his liberty.  

The last time the former official was denied his freedom was due to a letter written by him and deposed vice-president Oriol Junqueras. The letter was read out at a pro-independence event on May 2 in the centre of Barcelona.

According to the judge, the letter showed support for the pro-independence grassroots group CDR (Committees for the Defence of the Republic.) Forn argues that it was merely to show appreciation for the “moral support” he has received since being locked up.

Forn has repeatedly requested to be released, arguing that he has effectively abandoned his political career and therefore no longer poses a risk. He renounced his seat in parliament in January in order to convince Llarena to free him, but he was not successful.

He has been  in pre-trial detention since November 2 last year, facing charges rebellion and misuse of funds which can carry up to thirty years in prison.