Three deposed ministers appear in court

Three Catalan ministers deposed by the Spanish government and jailed in Madrid are to appear before the Supreme Court on Tuesday. A judge will officially notify Joaquim Forn, Raül Romeva and Josep Rull of the crimes for which they are being prosecuted.

The three pro-independence leaders face criminal charges of rebellion and misuse of public funds, in relation to the October 1 referendum, which went ahead despite a  Spanish court ban, and a subsequent declaration of independence. If found guilty, they could face more than 30 years in jail.

Romeva, Forn and Rull are expected to testify in front of judge Pablo Llarena. On Monday, the deposed vice president and two activist leaders, also held behind bars, defended Catalonia’s right to self-determination and told judge Llarena that calling the vote last October could not be considered a crime. They also deemed their prosecution as a “criminalization” of the pro-independence movement.