Supreme Court orders former Catalan leaders to trial over independence declaration

The Supreme Court has ordered that 18 former Catalan leaders are to stand trial over their role in last year’s declaration of independence. It’s understood their trials will begin in the new year.

The court said nine jailed former leaders including Catalonia’s ex-vice president Oriol Junqueras should be tried for rebellion, which carries a prison sentence of up to 25 years.

But the region’s former president, Carles Puigdemont – who played a key role in the separatist drive and is in self-imposed exile in Belgium – is not part of those sent to trial because Spain does not allow trials in absentia.

Mr Puigdemont is also accused of rebellion.

The prosecutor now has five working days to press charges related the an illegal push for independence in 2017.

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