Officers testify about 17 push for independence
Spanish police testify about their experiences outside of Barcelona
Day 24 of the Catalan trial began with testimonies from law enforcement officials, dealing with witnesses similar to those that ended the proceedings the day before: law enforcement officers on duty during autumn 2017 in Catalonia, at the height of the push for independence.
La Seu d’Urgell and Lleida
The first two officers began speaking about what happened at a protest outside a hotel in La Seu d’Urgell, in the very north of central Catalonia, where some officers stayed during the peak of the independence bid.
One officer said him and his colleagues were "intimidated" by the protesters because they could not get out of the hotel and "there was a lot of people." "I saw a crowd getting closer to the hotel [where officers were lodged] to harass my colleagues, including a firetruck," said a second witness.
A third still spoke about Lleida, where he was stationed in fall 2017, the day after the referendum (October 2) he and two more officers were insulted by an individual while they were wearing plain clothes.
Wednsday afternoon witnesses talked about Sabadell raids
On Wednesday, three law enforcement officials testified about their experience with raids and protests on September 20, 2017, in the town of Sabadell, at the home of Joan Ignasi Sànchez, who was an advisor to the then governance minister, Meritxell Borràs, who is charged with misuse of public funds and disobedience.
Witnesses were two Catalan officers had been injured while giving support to the Guardia Civil body, an officer of which said on day 23 that he felt "anguish" that day. All officers spoke of protester "violence."