One month later, pro-independence grass-root leaders are still in prison awaiting trial

On October 16, the two leaders of the two pro-independence civic organizations, Catalan National Assembly (ANC) and Òmnium Cultural, Jordi Sànchez and Jordi Cuixart, arrived at the Soto del Real prison in Madrid around 11pm. Held without bail, they are under investigation for sedition, after being accused of “seditiously” mobilizing people on September 20 and 21 and asking citizens to protest in front of polling stations on October 1.

One month later, Sànchez and Cuixart are still in prison awaiting trial. According to Spanish law, they could spend at least two years in preventive prison.

Accused of “seditiously" mobilizing people

The judge stated that Sànchez and Cuixart "seditiously" mobilized people on September 20 and 21, when fourteen high-ranking officials of the Catalan government were arrested and thousands had gathered peacefully in the streets to protest the arrests.

During that same day, the Spanish Guardia civil police also carried out raids in Catalan government buildings. Sànchez and Cuixart are also accused of asking citizens to protest in front of polling stations on October 1.

Under Spanish criminal law, a sedition conviction carries jail sentences of between 4 and 15 years. According to article 544 of the Criminal Code, sedition charges may be attributed to those that rise up “publicly and tumultuously” to prevent the application of laws or the work of authorities “by force or illegally”.

But those demonstrations were far from being the first massive gatherings organized by ANC and Òmnium. Indeed, the two groups were responsible for organizing the massive and peaceful pro-Yes demonstrations of the last few years.

Sànchez to run as candidate in 21 December election

Despite being jailed, the president of ANC, Jordi Sànchez, will join President Carles Puigdemont as a candidate on the pro-independence ‘Together for Catalonia’ (‘Junts per Catalunya’) ticket in the December 21 election. The president of the ANC plans to announce it in the next few hours through a letter to the members of the organization.