Spanish government leaves 'no room for discussion,' says Swiss MP

Today, Anna Gabriel announced that she would not be attending her Supreme Court hearing on Wednesday, February 21 in Spain, instead opting to remain in Switzerland. Gabriel is a former MP for the radical far-left CUP party, an entity that has historically been the kingmaker in the Catalan parliament, as well as pushing for independence. Gabriel was part of the Catalan government at the time of the declaration of independence - inasmuch, the former MP believes that she will not get a fair trial in Spain. The Catalan politician went into detail about her decision in an interview with the Swiss newspaper 'Le Temps,' where she explained: "As I will not get a fair trial in my country, I looked for a country that will protect my rights."

A number of other pro-independence leaders are under investigation with Gabriel for the alleged crimes of rebellion and sedition, charges that carry up to 30 years in prison. Gabriel's decision to leave the country echoes that of Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont. With direct rule imposed on Catalonia at the end of October, the deposed president and four of his ministers traveled to Brussels to internationalize their case. In fact, Gabriel told the Swiss newspaper that she will be “more useful” free than in prison. Four pro-independence leaders, including vice president Oriol Junqueras, are still being held behind bars.

To go into depth about Anna Gabriel's prospects in Switzerland, what would happen should she seek asylum there, and how this might affect the relations between the Helvetic country and Spain, Catalan News interviewed Swiss politician Mathias Reynard, a Socialist MP and co-president of the Intergroup on Catalonia in the Swiss Federal Parliament.