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Thousands Rally in Spain to Protest Trial of Catalan Separatist Leaders

HeadlineFeb 22, 2019

In Spain, thousands of protesters rallied in the northeastern region of the country Thursday, calling for the release of 12 secessionist Catalan leaders who are on trial on charges of rebellion. In Barcelona, more than 13,000 people took to the streets.

Cristina: “Nobody should be judged for their political ideology in a democracy. I think it’s unacceptable that the government keeps going on about the constitution and does not allow these people to be free. That is why I am here.”

At the trial, Catalan leaders have denied the charges against them, which stem from the 2017 independence referendum and the Catalan Parliament’s declaration of independence. Jordi Sànchez is the former president of the Catalan National Assembly.

Jordi Sànchez: “I consider myself a political prisoner, and I believe that this is a political trial. I believe it’s my obligation, as a citizen who wants to tell the truth in a court that presents itself as being impartial, to prove this innocence. And I am convinced that everything I am accused of by the prosecution is absolutely false.”

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