MEP witness praises jailed former minister's 'commitment to democracy'

Called to testify in the upcoming independence trial, Ana Gomes backs Raül Romeva and criticizes Supreme Court for not allowing international observers

The Portuguese MEP Ana Gomes during an interview with the Catalan News Agency (by Blanca Blay)
The Portuguese MEP Ana Gomes during an interview with the Catalan News Agency (by Blanca Blay) / ACN

ACN | Barcelona

February 7, 2019 11:42 AM

An MEP who has been called as a witness in the upcoming independence trial has come out in support of jailed former foreign affairs minister, Raül Romeva, praising his "commitment to democracy and Europeanism."

In an interview with the Catalan News Agency (ACN), Portuguese MEP Ana Gomes, who worked with Romeva during his time as an MEP in Brussels, also says that the upcoming trial of pro-independence leaders, including the former minister, has "no basis."

Rejection of observers in trial

While Gomes says she will attend the trial in which former officials and civic leaders are accused of rebellion, sedition and misuse of public funds for organizing the independence bid, she is critical of the Supreme Court's refusal to allow observers witness the proceedings.