Jailed leaders see independence trial as “opportunity” to reveal truth

Sànchez says prosecutor will have to back claims with "facts," while Romeva says it is a chance to speak "directly" to people in Spain

Jailed Catalan leader Jordi Sànchez (by Elisenda Rosanas)
Jailed Catalan leader Jordi Sànchez (by Elisenda Rosanas) / ACN

ACN | Barcelona

January 21, 2019 01:16 PM

Some of the political leaders in prison have in recent days commented in the media on their upcoming trial for organizing the independence bid in October 2017.

In an interview with 'El Periódico' newspaper on Monday, JxCat MP, Jordi Sànchez, said that the "hour of truth" had come for the state prosecutor, who during the trial will have to "prove the unprovable," as until now the prosecutor's narrative has been "lacking certain facts."

Jailed former vice president, Oriol Junqueras, in the same Lledoners prison as Sànchez, also spoke about the trial in an interview with the 'Ara' newspaper, calling it "significant" that the state prosecution and that brought by the far-right Vox party should be "so similar."

As for former foreign affairs minister, Raül Romeva, he sees the trial as an "opportunity to talk to Spain without intermediaries," as "many people in Spain have not listened to us directly," he told the TV3 channel.

Future of independence movement

The leaders also commented on the future of the independence movement, with Sànchez claiming that a change of leadership is already "underway" and that it is necessary for the movement to achieve "a unified strategy."