Trial of Catalan leaders begins, Puigdemont in Belgium

The trial of twenty Catalan leaders accused of declaring Catalonia's independence began on Thursday, and five of them, including the dismissed president of the Catalan government, Carles Puigdemont, did not appear in court in Madrid, world media report, as stated by the Patria agency.

Fourteen officials of the regional government and six officials of the regional parliament are accused of rebellion against the Spanish state. Their hearing began at 9 AM in Madrid.

The Spanish government dismissed the Catalan government on Saturday, October 28. The day before, the Catalan parliament declared the secession of this northeastern province with 7.5 million inhabitants.

The Catalan authorities based their decision to declare independence on the results of the referendum held on October 1, for which they are also accused in the Madrid court, as the referendum held in only one province is contrary to the Spanish constitution.

They are charged with rebellion, disobedience, and the use of public funds to carry out an illegal referendum, and they face sentences of up to 30 years in prison. On Thursday morning, nine dismissed Catalan government officials first arrived at the court in Madrid, including its vice-president, Oriol Junqueras.

Members of pro-independence parties came to support the accused in front of the court building. Former Catalan president Artur Mas, who held a non-binding independence referendum in 2014, also came to express his support.

- Many of our people feel injustice. The Catalan conflict will not be resolved through courts and violence - said Mas.

Marta Pascal, a member of Puigdemont's Catalan European Democratic Party (PDeCat), said she hoped the accused would not be remanded in custody.

President Puigdemont and his four ministers are still in Belgium, where they traveled last weekend. They are ready to answer questions via video link from Belgium, and a reaction from the Spanish judiciary is expected.

Spain could ask Belgium to extradite them. Puigdemont's Belgian lawyer announced this week a legal battle against extradition. He believes that Puigdemont would not have a fair trial in Spain.