ARCHIVED - Spanish government grants official pardon for leaders of failed Catalonia secession attempt 

The Spanish government has agreed to pardon nine Catalan politicians who were jailed for sedition and misuse of public funds.

Following several days of controversy and political turmoil, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez confirmed on Tuesday (22 June) that his Cabinet has approved pardons for nine jailed leaders of a failed independence bid in Catalonia back in 2017, known as the ‘procés’. 

The government, the leader stressed, does not question the Supreme Court's final sentences of sedition but has had to respond to petitions for a pardon from various different quarters and institutions. “The decision comes from the need to re-establish coexistence,” he said. 

The prisoners' release from jail, Sr Sánchez explained, will be revoked if they commit any other serious offences, and they will still be banned from holding public offices.

The pardon, the PM claimed, is proof of Spain’s democracy and will “open a new era of dialogue and put confrontation to an end once and for all.” The government considers it to be the best decision for Catalonia and Spain as it’s time to turn the page and focus all efforts on improving citizens’ lives, he said.

Sr Sánchez insisted that those pardoned were not expected to change their ideas, given that they were punished for committing “acts contrary to the law”, not for their ideology, but he did demand that from now on they defend their opinions while respecting the law and the rights of Spanish citizens. “We will find difficulties along the way, but I believe that this is well worth trying,” he stressed.

While the Socialist government leader put his case forward with confidence, he is no doubt well aware of the fact that this was one of the hardest and riskiest decisions he has faced since he came into office.

The matter has not only caused heated debate between political parties but has also divided opinions among voters, as well as annoying prosecutors and the Supreme court who have classed the move as purely political.

The nine individuals who are now being pardoned were given sentences for sedition and misuse of public funds of between nine and 13 years in prison.

ERC leader Oriol Junqueras was deputy prime minister at the time of the illegal referendum on October 1, 2017 and has already been behind bars for three-and-a-half years.

On Wednesday morning Oriol Junqueras, Joaquim Forn, Josep Rull, Jordi Turull, Raül Romeva, Jordi Sànchez and Jordi Cuixart, all of whom have been serving their sentences in Lledoners, Barcelona, were released from prison, leaving the installations with a banner proclaiming “Freedom for Cataluña”, clearly showing that they have no intention whatsoever of "changing their ideas" or their cause.
Image: La Moncloa.