Jailed pro-independence minister kept in jail

The Spanish Supreme Court kept the pro-independence jailed minister Joaquim Forn in prison on Friday. The judge argued that he poses a risk of repeat offense, although he stepped down from his post as MP on January 23 and rejected unilateral means to achieve independence. Forn has been in prison for exactly three months accused of rebellion, sedition and misuse of funds.

Forn was the Catalan home affairs minister during the events that led to the referendum on self-determination and the declaration of independence last autumn. Despite giving up his post as MP, he will remain behind bars along with the Catalan deposed vice president, Oriol Junqueras, and two pro-independence grassroots leaders, Jordi Cuixart and Jordi Sànchez.