Pro-independence activist Sànchez leaves prison on first 48-hour permit

The pro-independence activist Jordi Sànchez left jail on Saturday on his first 48-hour permit after being convicted to nine years in prison for his role in the 2017 independence push on sedition charges.

Sànchez will not take part in any public event nor talk to the press during the next two days, when he will have to return to his cell.

"19,944 hours in jail"

"I begin my first 2-day permit in order to be with the family. A permit doesn't mean freedom, it is a 48-hour parenthesis after 19,944 hours in jail," he tweeted shortly after leaving Lledoners penitentiary, in central Catalonia.

"Only amnesty will grant us freedom again. Thanks for your support and respect! We continue strong, without backing down," added Sànchez.

Començo el primer permís de 2 dies per estar amb la família. Un permís no és la llibertat, és un parèntasi de 48 hores després de 19.944 hores de presó.

Només l’amnistia ens retornarà la llibertat. Gràcies per tot el vostre suport i respecte! Seguim forts, sense defallir! pic.twitter.com/Ip37ZMWM4m

— Jordi Sànchez (@jordialapreso) January 25, 2020

Sànchez is the second pro-independence leader involved in the 2017 events who enjoys such permit. On January 16, the president of Òmnium Cultural civil organization, Jordi Cuixart, used his first 48-hour permit.