Unionists claim pro-independence camp has ‘violent agenda’

Unionist parties have targeted the pro-independence Catalan government after the arrest of nine activists accused of terrorism, rebellion, and possession of explosives. While pro-independence forces deemed the raids as “criminalization of protests” and rejected the move by Spain’s police calling it “repression”, some unionist politicians took for granted that the allegations were confirmed.

“Terrorist acts with explosives”

Shortly after the operation got underway, the People’s Party leader in Spain, Pablo Casado, said that the independence camp has a “violent and divisive agenda” and said they won’t give in facing this alleged threat. 

For him, Spain’s police “has probably prevented a terrorist act with explosives.” 

“Spain’s democracy and rule of law are much stronger than those who try to defy them,” he added. 

“Defuse tensions”

The Socialists in Catalonia took a softer stance but demanded “responsibility” of the Catalan government. 

For Socialist senior MP Salvador Illa, “it is normal that a moment of bewilderment leads to the radicalization of some groups.”