Socialist leader says pre-trial prison is 'taking too long,' questions rebellion charges

The leader of the Socialist party in Catalonia (PSC), Miquel Iceta, said on Wednesday that pro-independence leaders have been in pre-trial prison for "too long."

In an event in Madrid, Iceta also questioned the "rebellion charges" against activists and members of the former Catalan government and Parliament. "I don't see it," he admitted, while stating that nonetheless he has to "respect" judicial decisions.

On Wednesday, the Spanish Constitutional Court rejected an appeal by former Parliament speaker Carme Forcadell to be released from prison. She has been in pre-trial jail accused of rebellion since March. Eight others are also behind bars, four of them since November last year.

Spanish government

Iceta praised the Spanish Socialist government, led by party-colleague Pedro Sánchez, for having helped reach agreements between Madrid and Barcelona. "His recipe is working," he said.