Catalan police chief released after being questioned for sedition

The Catalan police chief, Josep Lluís Trapero, and the leaders of the ANC and Òmnium pro-independence civic groups, Jordi Sànchez and Jordi Cuixart, have been unconditionally released after being questioned as part of an investigation for sedition linked to September 20 and 21 demonstrations in Barcelona.

The Catalan police officer, Teresa Laplana, was also called to testify. She could not travel to Madrid due to health reasons and testified by videoconference. Trapero and Laplana responded to all questions, but two pro-independence civil society groups leaders refused to testify. When the hearing was over, no precautionary measures were taken against defendants.

Catalan police chief gave his version

Trapero said before court that Spanish police did not warn Catalan police of September 20’s operation, when Spanish police carried out more than 40 raids throughout Catalonia. Trapero testified for an hour. Sources close to the Catalan police chief said that he is “satisfied” because he could give a different version of that reported by Spanish police. Spanish authorities say the demonstrations hindered the police operation, but Trapero argued before court that the operation launched by the Catalan police was correct.    

Indeed, Catalan police chief stated that Catalan police knew that 47 raids were planned for September 20 via the media. He also argued that the Catalan police operation would have been different if they had had the information in advance. The same sources pointed out that the reason why the Spanish police did not inform the Catalan police of September 20 raids is still unknown.

On leaving the Spain’s National Court, some Catalan and Basque deputies and senators applauded the Catalan police chief. They were outside Spain’s National Court since the early morning to greet and accompany those who have been accused of sedition. When he was about to get into the car, some citizens accused him of "treason."