Jailed Catalan leaders and former police head in court to hear charges

Three jailed Catalan leaders, the former Catalan police chief, and three other police officials appeared in court on Monday to be formally notified of the criminal charges against them for their role in the independence referendum. Deposed vice president Oriol Junqueras and activists Jordi Sànchez and Jordi Cuixart went to the Spanish Supreme Court from prisons in the Madrid region.

The judge informed Junqueras that he is being prosecuted for rebellion and misuse of public funds, while Sànchez, who is now an MP, and Cuixart, are being prosecuted for rebellion.

Also today, the former police leadership in Catalonia faced the Spanish National Court judge dealing with the case against them. Former police chief Josep-Lluís Trapero is being prosecuted for sedition and criminal organization. Three other officials from the Catalan police force, the Mossos d'Esquadra, are charged with sedition. Unlike some politicians and activists, they are not in pre-trial prison.

Lawyers confirmed that their clients reject all the charges against them.