Jailed MP requests attendance for his upcoming swearing-in debate

Jailed MP Jordi Sànchez asked the judge to attend the parliamentary debate set for this Friday, in order to be sworn in as Catalan president. In a written petition from his defense on Tuesday morning, the magistrate is asked to take “the necessary measures in order that the MP Jordi Sànchez is able to take part in the swearing in session as candidate” on Friday at 10am. They ask for Sànchez to either attend the parliament or take part via video link.

This was already requested in March, and rejected, by the Spanish Supreme Court. Now, pro-independence parties are leading a second attempt after the UN Human Rights Council “urged” Spain to take precautionary measures to guarantee Sànchez’s “political rights.” This happened after the Supreme Court rejected the possibility for him to be sworn in. The UN decision of March included urging Spain to allow Sànchez to “have access, in equal condition, to the public functions of his country.” The pro-independence leader has been in pre-trial jail for almost six months, facing prosecution for rebellion. Eight more politicians in favor of a Catalan state are behind bars.