Spain casts doubt on 'impartiality' of UN report on jailed leaders

The Spanish government cast doubt on the "impartiality" and "independence" of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention report made public on Wednesday, which demanded the "immediate" release of three Catalan pro-independence leaders.

In a statement released on Wednesday evening, the executive led by Socialist Pedro Sánchez stated that it is "especially serious" that the paper was published "shortly before the case against the defendants is over in the Supreme Court."

"It is a sad circumstance that could be interpreted as interference in the criminal case underway."

The trial will be over in mid-June, with only the closing arguments by both the defense and prosecution, and the final remarks of the defendants yet to take place between June 4 and June 11.

Spain also called on the officials in charge of supervising the working group to "strengthen the accuracy, independence and equanimity of their work, and to remain vigilant in facing the attempts of manipulation and misinformation to which they might be subject."