Socialists propose updating rebellion crime to match events in Catalonia

Spain’s Socialist party (PSOE) will push for a reform of the criminal code in order to “update” the crime of rebellion, to bring it into line with the events for which Catalan leaders are being prosecuted in relation to their involvement in the independence bid.

In an interview with Spain’s public TV, PSOE leader Pedro Sánchez acknowledged that “it’s obvious” that the crime as it stands is to address events “linked to military coups,” thus leaving out actions that were previously “unimaginable.” Sánchez proposes updating the offense to “the 21st century, 2018.”

In total, 13 politicians and activists in Catalonia are accused of rebellion for their role in the independence bid, all of whom are either preemptively jailed in Madrid or seeking refuge from the Spanish judiciary abroad.