Spain to pardon jailed Catalan separatists
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced plans on Monday to pardon Catalonia's separatist leaders.
The nine Catalans were jailed in 2019 for their roles in a failed independence bid in 2017.
Sanchez said the pardons are necessary to promote dialogue between Madrid and Barcelona.
"And that is what the government of Spain has decided, to face the problem and seek harmony, so tomorrow, thinking in the constitutional spirit of harmony, I will propose to the cabinet meeting to concede pardon to the nine people convicted in the 'Proces' trial who are in prison today."
But the move has divided Spain.
Sanchez's speech was interrupted by a protester shouting 'independence' and calling Spain a fascist state.
Outside the venue, several hundred demonstrators gathered to demand a full amnesty for the politicians.
They also renewed calls for independence.
"Pardons are a small thing, the truth is that they've taken our freedom of speech at all levels, we have our legitimate government in prison or in exile, and this is very serious thing in a democracy."
There's also consternation in Madrid, where earlier this month tens of thousands of people took to the streets to oppose the pardons.
Opposition parties have said they will take the government to court over the issue.
Polls suggest about 60% of Spaniards are against freeing the politicians and activists.
The cabinet is due to rubber-stamp the pardons at its meeting on Tuesday, which should lead to the separatists' release from jail a few days later.
