'This is a fake trial,' says Catalan culture minister

With the trial of political and civil leaders in Spain's Supreme Court well underway, a number of Catalan officials have been in Madrid recently to attend and show their support for their colleagues in the courtroom.

One of them is the culture minister, Laura Borràs, who this week spoke to Catalan News about her impressions of the court case, and her government's hopes and expectations for its eventual outcome.

How do you feel about the trial?

We are very concerned about civil rights and we see that this trial is not fair, not only because of what they are accused of, but also due to the conditions they are subject to during the trial

What struck you most in the first two weeks of the trial?

For example, what was shocking for us was to see how the Spanish lawyers were really concerned about what happened on September 20 [protests]. They were concerned about two Spanish police cars, when we are mostly concerned about what happens in terms of justice, of freedom, and why they have spent 500 days in prison.

What would be the optimal outcome of the proceedings?

The best result is for it to be finished. [Prosecuted] minister Turull said to us when we were saying goodbye [in the courtroom]: "Well, hopefully next Tuesday we'll be coming back home." That should be what happens, but we know that this is not going to happen. We have always said that this is a fake trial, that we are fighting for our rights, for our civil rights, for freedom and for justice.