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Catalonia Protests As Ex-Ministers Held In Spanish Custody
Thousands of Catalans have protested against the detention of eight regional ministers sacked over Catalonia’s push for independence from Spain.
The officials who appeared in Spain’s high court are accused of rebellion, sedition and misuse of public funds.
Prosecutors are also seeking a European Arrest Warrant for ousted Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont, who did not show up in court and is now in Belgium. The request also covers four other ex-ministers who ignored the summons.
On Thursday, thousands of people gathered outside Catalonia’s regional parliament in Barcelona. Many carried Catalan flags and slogans that read “Freedom for political prisoners”. Similar protest rallies were held in other Catalan towns.
Political parties and civic groups in the affluent north-eastern region also condemned the judicial move.
