Thousands bring Catalonia to a standstill in protest after leaders sent to prison

Thousands of independence supporters have brought parts of the region to a standstill after Spain’s supreme court sentenced former regional leaders to lengthy prison terms.

Protesters caused disruption across Catalonia following on from the sentencing of Catalan politicians who were found guilty of being involved in the contested independence referendum in 2017. They faced stiff sentences of up to 13-years.

[icon name=”volume-up” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] Special Report: Catalan protests over separatists jailing

An estimated 8000 people descended onto Terminal 1 at Barcelona’s El Prat airport resulting in scuffles between police and protesters inside the terminal building. Over 100 flights were cancelled as a result.

There was also blockades on roads and rail links around the region, with the main station in Gerona being closed after protestors walked along the railway and damaging the track.

Thousands of Catalan independence supporters also marched in Barcelona city centre, blocking some streets and access to metro stations.

Authorities say there tens of thousands of protesters.

Regional president Quim Torra sent a letter calling for urgent dialogue to be held with acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and King Felipe VI.

However, acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said that whilst no person was above the law, the convictions were not political, but legal.

Former Catalan presiden Carles Pudigemont – who had a European Arrest warrant issued for him yesterday, said that the jailing was an act of revenge against those who led the contested referendum and declaration of independence.

Catalonia’s former deputy leader, Oriol Junqueras, was handed a 13 year sentence.

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