Jailed activist to lead pro-independence ticket in Spanish election

The jailed activist Jordi Sànchez, who is one of the 12 pro-independence leaders in the dock in the Spanish Supreme Court, is expected to lead a pro-independence ticket in the April 28 Spanish election.

Sànchez is one of the founders of former president Carles Puigdemont's new movement, Crida Nacional, which stems from the ruling Junts per Catalunya. 

The members of this platform ratified his bid on Saturday, and the ticket will also include members of PDeCAT party after an agreement with Junts per Catalunya reached on Sunday.

The Catalan culture minister, Laura Borràs, will be the number 2 of the ticket, with PDeCAT's vice president and MP in Spain's Congress Míriam Nogueras following. MEP Ramon Tremosa will be the number 4 in the Barcelona constituency. 

In the Lleida and Tarragona constituencies, the jailed former ministers Jordi Turull and Josep Rull will head the tickets, while Puigdemont's lawyer, Jaume-Alonso Cuevillas, will take a step forward and will be running as top candidate for the Girona constituency. 

Jordi Sànchez is facing rebellion charges for his involvement in the 2017 independence bid, especially as leader of some rallies against Spain's police raids to dismantle the referendum logistics on September 20 that year.