Chinese artist and dissident Ai Weiwei visited Catalan activist Jordi Cuixart in prison, where he’s held in pre-trial detention for his role in last year’s referendum and declaration of independence.

"It’s quite ironic that there are political prisoners in today’s Europe, imprisoned for over a year without a trial," said Ai after leaving the Lledoners penitentiary in central Catalonia on Friday.  "This is certainly not an acceptable situation, as it totally violates the essential meaning of a civilized and democratic society".