Meritxell Borràs i Solé (born 12 April 1964) is a Spanish politician and pharmacist from Catalonia. Borràs served as Catalonia's Minister of Governance and Institutional Relations from June 2015 to October 2017 when she was removed from office following the Catalan declaration of independence.

Meritxell Borràs
Counselor of Governance and Institutional Relations[a]
In office
22 June 2015 – 27 October 2017
PresidentArtur Mas
Carles Puigdemont
Preceded byJoana Ortega
Succeeded byJordi Puigneró
(Direct rule until 2 June 2018)
Member of the Catalan Parliament
for the Province of Barcelona
In office
5 December 1995 – 24 August 1999
In office
1 February 2000 – 23 September 2003
In office
4 May 2005 – 4 August 2015
Member of the City Council of L'Hospitalet de Llobregat
In office
1995–2015
Personal details
Born
Meritxell Borràs i Solé

(1964-04-12) 12 April 1964 (age 60)
L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Catalonia, Spain
Political partyJunts (2020–present)
Other political
affiliations
Nationalist Youth of Catalonia (formerly)
CDC (1981–2016)
PDeCAT (2016–2020)
Spouse
Antoni Asensio Ollé
(m. 2018)
Children2
Alma materUniversity of Barcelona
WebsiteMeritxell Borràs

Born in 1964 in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Borràs graduated from the University of Barcelona before working in the pharmaceutical sector. A supporter of Catalan independence, Borràs was a member of the Nationalist Youth of Catalonia whilst a student. She was elected to the Municipality of L'Hospitalet de Llobregat and Parliament of Catalonia in 1995. She was appointed Minister of the Governance and Institutional Relations for Catalonia in June 2015.

On 1 October 2017 an independence referendum was held in Catalonia despite the Constitutional Court ruling that it breached the Spanish constitution. 92% supported independence though turnout was 43% due to a boycott by unionists. The Catalan Parliament declared independence on 27 October 2017 which resulted in the Spanish government imposing direct rule on Catalonia, dismissing the Catalan government. The Catalan Parliament was dissolved and fresh elections called. On 30 October 2017 charges of rebellion, sedition and misuse of public funds were brought against Borràs and other members of the Catalan government. Borràs and Puigdemont, along with others, fled to Belgium but Borràs later returned to Spain. On 2 November 2017 Borràs and seven other Catalan ministers were remanded in custody by the Audiencia Nacional. Six of the ministers, including Borràs, were released on bail on 4 December 2017. On 23 March 2018 a Supreme Court judge ordered that Borràs be tried for embezzlement and disobedience.

Early life and family

edit

Borràs was born on 12 April 1964 in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, a municipality in the Province of Barcelona in eastern Catalonia, Spain.[1][2][3] She is the daughter of Jacint Borràs, one of the founders of the Democratic Convergence of Catalonia (CDC), a conservative Catalan nationalist political party, now known as the Catalan European Democratic Party (PDeCAT).[4][5]

After school Borràs joined the University of Barcelona, graduating in 1988 with a degree in pharmacy.[1][2][3] She received a Master of Business Administration from the university in 1990.[1][2][3] She founded the Hospitalet de Llobregat branch of the Nationalist Youth of Catalonia (JNC) in 1981 and served as its president.[1][2][3] She also sat on the JNC's National Executive Committee, with responsibility for communication and training.[1][2][3] Borràs joined the CDC in 1982 and has been a member of its national council, executive committee and steering committee.[2][3][6] She is a member of the Catalan National Assembly (ANC), Òmnium Cultural and FC Barcelona.[2][3]

Career

edit

After university Borràs worked in the Menarini laboratories for seven years and in the Almirall laboratories for two years.[1][3]

Borràs contested the 1995 local elections as a Convergence and Union (CiU) electoral alliance candidate in L'Hospitalet de Llobrega and was elected.[7] She was re-elected at the 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011 local elections.[8][9][10][11] She did not seek re-election at the 2015 local elections, giving way to Jordi Monrós as the CIU's leading candidate in L'Hospitalet de Llobrega.[12]

Borràs contested the 1995 regional election as a Convergence and Union (CiU) electoral alliance candidate in the Province of Barcelona and was elected to the Parliament of Catalonia.[13][14] At the 1999 regional election Borràs was placed 33rd on the CiU's list of candidates in Barcelona but the alliance only managed to win 31 seats in the province and as a result she failed to get re-elected.[15] However, in February 2000, she was appointed to the Catalan Parliament to replace Andreu Mas-Colell.[16][17]

At the 2003 regional election Borràs was placed 28th on the CiU's list of candidates in Barcelona but the alliance only managed to win 25 seats in the province and as a result she failed to get re-elected.[18][19] However, in May 2005, she was appointed to the Catalan Parliament to replace Jaume Camps i Rovira.[20][21] She was re-elected at the 2006, 2010 and 2012 regional elections.[22][23][24] She was appointed Minister of Governance and Institutional Relations for Catalonia in June 2015.[3][25] For the 2015 regional election the CDC joined with Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC) and other pro-independence parties to form the Junts pel Sí (JxSí) electoral alliance. Borràs was amongst several CDC MPs who failed to receive nomination at the election as the alliance sought to include independent candidates on its lists.[26] Borràs remained a member of the Executive Council of Catalonia and January 2016 news President Carles Puigdemont expanded her portfolio to include housing.[27][28]

Catalonia independence crisis and imprisonment

edit

In June 2017 President of Catalonia Carles Puigdemont announced that a referendum on Catalan independence would be held on 1 October 2017.[29][30] The Catalan Parliament passed legislation on 6 September 2017 authorising the referendum which would be binding and based on a simple majority without a minimum threshold.[31][32] The following day Constitutional Court of Spain suspended the legislation, blocking the referendum.[33][34] The Spanish government put into effect Operation Anubis in order to disrupt the organisation of the referendum and arrested Catalan government officials.[35][36] Despite this the referendum went ahead though it was boycotted by unionists and turnout was only 43%.[37][38] 92% of those who voted supported independence.[39][40] Around 900 people were injured as the Spanish police used violence to try to prevent voting in the referendum.[41][42][43]

On 27 October 2017 the Catalan Parliament declared independence in a vote boycotted by opposition MPs.[44][45] Almost immediately the Senate of Spain invoked article 155 of the constitution, dismissing Puigdemont and the Catalan government and imposing direct rule on Catalonia.[46][47] The following day Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy dissolved the Catalan Parliament and called for fresh regional elections on 21 December 2017.[48][49] On 30 October 2017 Spanish Attorney General José Manuel Maza laid charges of rebellion, sedition and misuse of public funds at the Audiencia Nacional against Puigdemont, Borràs and other members of the Catalan government.[50][51] The charges carry maximum sentences of 30, 15 and 6 years in prison respectively.[52]

Borràs, Puigdemont and four other Catalan ministers (Dolors Bassa, Antoni Comín, Joaquim Forn and Meritxell Serret) arrived in Belgium on 30 October 2017.[53][54] According to Spanish media the group had driven to Marseille shortly after the charges were laid before the Audiencia Nacional and from there flown to Brussels.[55][56] Borrás then returned to Spain.[57]

On 2 November 2017 Audiencia Nacional judge Carmen Lamela remanded in custody Borrás and seven other Catalan ministers (Bassa, Forn, Oriol Junqueras, Carles Mundó, Raül Romeva, Josep Rull and Jordi Turull) as she considered them a flight risk.[58][59][60] The jailed ministers were separated and sent to five different prisons: Bassa and Borrás to Alcalá, Junqueras and Forn to Estremera, Mundó to Aranjuez prison, Romeva and Turull to Valdemoro and Rull to Navalcarnero.[61] A ninth minister, Santi Vila, was freed on bail as he had resigned from the government the day before the declaration of independence, but had to spend a night in Estremera prison whilst his lawyers secured his €50,000 bail.[62][63] According to their lawyer Jaume Alonso-Cuevillas, the ministers were mistreated whilst being transported to prison.[64][65] They were allegedly handcuffed behind their backs without seat belts in a van going very fast, forced to listen to the Spanish national anthem on a loop and threatened by their guards.[65][66][67] Mundo allegedly suffered injuries due to the handcuffs and two ministers were allegedly forced to strip to prevent them carrying anything into prison.[65][66][67] Earlier, as the ministers arrived at the Audiencia Nacional, Spanish police officers were shown, in video obtained Reuters and published by the La Vanguardia, making sneering, homophobic comments about the ministers, with one officer saying "Wait till you see what they do to the little teddy bear", referring to Junqueras, "When they get him on all fours, they’ll fix his eye".[64][67][68][69][70]

On 1 December 2017 the eight jailed ministers and two jailed independence activists - Jordi Cuixart and Jordi Sànchez i Picanyol - appeared before Supreme Court judge Pablo Llarena to request bail while they await trial.[71] They renounced the declaration of independence, pledged support for the imposition of direct rule and agreed to work within the law.[72][73][74] On 4 December 2017 Llarena released, after 32 days in prison, six of the ministers (Bassa, Borrás, Mundó, Romeva, Rull and Turull) on bail of €100,000 but ordered that their passports be confiscated.[75][76] However, Forn and Junqueras, together with Cuixart and Sànchez, were refused bail.[77][78][79]

After a four-month judicial investigation into the referendum and declaration of independence Supreme Court judge Pablo Llarena issued a 70-page ruling on 23 March 2018 in which he ordered that 25 of the 28 Catalan politicians and activists under investigation be tried for rebellion, embezzlement or disobedience.[80][81] Borràs was charged with disobeying an order of the Constitutional Court (article 410 of the criminal code) and embezzlement.[82] The judge also ordered 14 of the accused, including Borràs, to collectively pay €2.1 million to cover the costs of the referendum and judicial investigation.[83][84]

The trial began[85] on 12 February 2019 and ended and was remitted to decision on 12 June 2019.[86]

On 14 October 2019, Borràs was sentenced to a year and 8 months of disqualification and a fine of €60,000 for disobedience.[87][88]

Personal life

edit

Borràs married partner Antoni Asensio Ollé in March 2018.[89][90] They have two sons, Bernat and Eudald.[91]

Electoral history

edit
Electoral history of Meritxell Borràs
Election Constituency Party Alliance No. Result
1995 local[7] L'Hospitalet de Llobregat Democratic Convergence of Catalonia Convergence and Union 4 Elected
1995 regional[13] Province of Barcelona Democratic Convergence of Catalonia Convergence and Union 31 Elected
1999 local[8] L'Hospitalet de Llobregat Democratic Convergence of Catalonia Convergence and Union 1 Elected
1999 regional Province of Barcelona Democratic Convergence of Catalonia Convergence and Union 33 Not elected
2003 local[9] L'Hospitalet de Llobregat Democratic Convergence of Catalonia Convergence and Union 1 Elected
2003 regional Province of Barcelona Democratic Convergence of Catalonia Convergence and Union 28 Not elected
2006 regional[22] Province of Barcelona Democratic Convergence of Catalonia Convergence and Union 4 Elected
2007 local[10] L'Hospitalet de Llobregat Democratic Convergence of Catalonia Convergence and Union 1 Elected
2010 regional[23] Province of Barcelona Democratic Convergence of Catalonia Convergence and Union 4 Elected
2011 local[9] L'Hospitalet de Llobregat Democratic Convergence of Catalonia Convergence and Union 1 Elected
2012 regional[24] Province of Barcelona Democratic Convergence of Catalonia Convergence and Union 6 Elected

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c d e f "H. Sra. Meritxell Borràs i Solé" (in Catalan). Barcelona, Spain: Parliament of Catalonia. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Meritxell Borràs, la veterana de la comissió Pujol, a Governació". El Periódico de Catalunya (in Catalan). Barcelona, Spain. 22 June 2015. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i "PERFIL: Meritxell Borràs, un dels pesos pesants i persona de confiança del grup de CiU al Parlament". Diari de Girona (in Catalan). Girona, Spain. Catalan News Agency. 22 June 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  4. ^ "PERFIL Meritxell Borràs, consellera bregada en el municipalisme i veterana diputada". Nació Digital (in Catalan). Barcelona, Spain. 14 January 2016. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  5. ^ "Meritxell Borràs, nueva consellera de Governació". La Vanguardia (in Spanish). Barcelona, Spain. 22 June 2015. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  6. ^ "eritxell Borràs i Solé". ABC (in Spanish). Madrid, Spain. 10 May 2011. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  7. ^ a b "Consulta de Resultados Electorales: Municipales / Mayo 1995 - Mun. Hospitalet de Llobrega" (in Spanish). Madrid, Spain: Ministry of the Interior. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  8. ^ a b "Consulta de Resultados Electorales: Municipales / Junio 1999 - Mun. Hospitalet de Llobrega" (in Spanish). Madrid, Spain: Ministry of the Interior. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  9. ^ a b c "Consulta de Resultados Electorales: Municipales / Mayo 2003 - Mun. Hospitalet de Llobrega" (in Spanish). Madrid, Spain: Ministry of the Interior. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  10. ^ a b "Consulta de Resultados Electorales: Municipales / Mayo 2007 - Mun. Hospitalet de Llobrega" (in Spanish). Madrid, Spain: Ministry of the Interior. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  11. ^ "Consulta de Resultados Electorales: Municipales / Mayo 2011 - Mun. Hospitalet de Llobrega" (in Spanish). Madrid, Spain: Ministry of the Interior. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  12. ^ "Meritxell Borràs deja paso a Jordi Monrós como candidato CiU en L'Hospitalet". La Vanguardia (in Spanish). Barcelona, Spain. 29 January 2015. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  13. ^ a b "Eleccions al Parlament de Catalunya 1995: Candidats electes" (PDF) (in Catalan). Departament de Governació, Administracions Públiques i Habitatge, Generalitat de Catalunya. p. 1. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  14. ^ "V legislatura" (in Catalan). Barcelona, Spain: Parliament of Catalonia. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  15. ^ "Resultats electorals" (in Catalan). Barcelona, Spain: Departament de Governació, Administracions Públiques i Habitatge. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  16. ^ "Trias, Espadaler y Mas-Colell dimiten como parlamentarios". El País (in Spanish). Madrid, Spain. 26 January 2000. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  17. ^ "VI legislatura" (in Catalan). Barcelona, Spain: Parliament of Catalonia. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  18. ^ "Mas renueva la lista de CiU al Parlament con más jóvenes, mujeres y dirigentes locales". La Vanguardia (in Spanish). Barcelona, Spain. 27 July 2003. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  19. ^ "Resultats electorals" (in Catalan). Barcelona, Spain: Departament de Governació, Administracions Públiques i Habitatge. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  20. ^ "Meritxell Borràs torna al Parlament de Catalunya". L'HDigital (in Catalan). L’Hospitalet , Spain. 24 April 2005. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  21. ^ "VII legislatura" (in Catalan). Barcelona, Spain: Parliament of Catalonia. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  22. ^ a b "Eleccions al Parlament de Catalunya 2006: Candidats electes" (PDF) (in Catalan). Departament de Governació, Administracions Públiques i Habitatge, Generalitat de Catalunya. p. 1. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  23. ^ a b "Eleccions al Parlament de Catalunya 2010: Candidats electes" (PDF) (in Catalan). Departament de Governació, Administracions Públiques i Habitatge, Generalitat de Catalunya. p. 1. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  24. ^ a b "Eleccions al Parlament de Catalunya 2012: Candidats electes" (PDF) (in Catalan). Departament de Governació, Administracions Públiques i Habitatge, Generalitat de Catalunya. p. 1. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  25. ^ Tomàs, Neus; Puig, Laura (22 June 2015). "Neus Munté, Meritxell Borràs, Jordi Jané i Jordi Ciuraneta, nous nomenaments del Govern". El Periódico de Catalunya (in Catalan). Barcelona, Spain. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  26. ^ Tercero, Alejandro (21 August 2015). "La lista de Mas y Junqueras deja sin escaño a 'pesos pesados' de CDC y ERC". Crónica Global (in Catalan). Barcelona, Spain. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  27. ^ "Meritxell Borràs pren possessió com a consellera de Governació". L'HDigital (in Catalan). L’Hospitalet , Spain. 14 January 2016. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  28. ^ Martos, Gemma (18 January 2016). "Toma de posesión del Govern de la Generalitat, en directo". La Vanguardia (in Spanish). Barcelona, Spain. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  29. ^ Dowsett, Sonya (9 June 2017). "Catalonia calls October referendum on independence from Spain". Reuters. London, U.K. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  30. ^ "Tensions grow in Spain as Catalonia independence referendum confirmed". The Daily Telegraph. London, U.K. 9 June 2017. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  31. ^ "Catalonia's lawmakers give nod to independence referendum". Deutsche Welle. Bonn, Germany. 6 September 2017. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  32. ^ Mortimer, Caroline (1 October 2017). "Catalan independence referendum: '844 injured in clashes with police', says regional government". The Independent. London, U.K. Archived from the original on 12 May 2022. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  33. ^ "Spain's constitutional court suspends Catalan referendum law: court source". Reuters. London, U.K. 7 September 2017. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  34. ^ Strange, Hannah (7 September 2017). "Spain's constitutional court suspends Catalan referendum law". The Daily Telegraph. London, U.K. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  35. ^ Jones, Sam; Burgen, Stephen (21 September 2017). "Spain crisis: 'stop this radicalism and disobedience,' PM tells Catalan leaders". The Guardian. London, U.K. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  36. ^ Castillo, Raquel; Edwards, Sam (20 September 2017). "Spanish police raid Catalan government to halt banned referendum". Reuters. London, U.K. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  37. ^ "Catalonia's bid for independence from Spain explained". BBC News. London, U.K. 22 December 2017. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  38. ^ Jones, Sam; Burgen, Stephen (2 October 2017). "Catalan leader calls for mediation with Spain over independence". The Guardian. London, U.K. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  39. ^ "Catalan crisis: Spain's Rajoy vows to end 'separatist havoc'". BBC News. London, U.K. 12 November 2017. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  40. ^ McGuinness, Alan (11 October 2017). "Spain calls emergency meeting after Catalonia declares independence". Sky News. London, U.K. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  41. ^ "Catalonia referendum: Madrid representative apologises for police violence during vote". ABC News. Sydney, Australia. Reuters. 6 October 2017. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  42. ^ Child, David (3 October 2017). "Catalan vote: Claims of Spanish police brutality probed". Al Jazeera. Doah, Qatar. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  43. ^ "Catalan referendum: Catalonia has 'won right to statehood'". BBC News. London, U.K. 2 October 2017. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  44. ^ "Catalans declare independence as Madrid imposes direct rule". BBC News. London, U.K. 27 October 2017. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  45. ^ "Catalonia declares independence as Spain prepares to impose direct rule". The Independent. London, U.K. 27 October 2017. Archived from the original on 12 May 2022. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  46. ^ Jones, Sam; Burgen, Stephen; Graham-Harrison, Emma (28 October 2017). "Spain dissolves Catalan parliament and calls fresh elections". The Guardian. London, U.K. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  47. ^ Burgess, Sanya (27 October 2017). "Catalan votes for independence as Madrid approves direct rule". The National. Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  48. ^ "Catalonia independence: Rajoy dissolves Catalan parliament". BBC News. London, U.K. 28 October 2017. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  49. ^ Smith-Spark, Laura; Rebaza, Claudia (28 October 2017). "Catalonia government dissolved after declaring independence from Spain". CNN. Atlanta, U.S.A. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  50. ^ "Charges of rebellion and sedition called for by Spain's attorney general against Puigdemont and other Catalan officials". The Local. Stockholm, Sweden. 1 November 2017. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  51. ^ Newton, Creede (30 October 2017). "Spain prosecutor files charges against Catalan leaders". Al Jazeera. Doha, Qatar. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  52. ^ Baynes, Chris (30 October 2017). "Catalonia independence: Spanish state prosecutor says Catalan leaders will be charged with rebellion, sedition and misuse of public funds". The Independent. London, U.K. Archived from the original on 12 May 2022. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  53. ^ "Catalan independence: Carles Puigdemont in Belgium, lawyer says". BBC News. London, UK. 31 October 2017. Archived from the original on 31 October 2017. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  54. ^ Stone, Jon (30 October 2017). "Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont has fled the country amid rebellion charges". The Independent. London, UK. Archived from the original on 5 November 2017. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  55. ^ Jones, Sam (31 October 2017). "Catalan leaders facing rebellion charges flee to Belgium". The Guardian. London, UK. Archived from the original on 30 October 2017. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  56. ^ "Catalonian leader Carles Puigdemont flees to Belgium amid accusations of sedition from Spain". ABC News. Sydney, Australia. 31 October 2017. Archived from the original on 4 November 2017. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  57. ^ Montero, Daniel; Requeijo, Alejandro; Lucas-Torres, Carmen (2 November 2017). "Meritxell Borràs vuelve de Bruselas para declarar ante la jueza Carmen Lamela". El Español (in Spanish). Madrid, Spain. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  58. ^ "Catalonia crisis: Protests as ex-ministers held in Spanish custody". BBC News. London, U.K. 2 November 2017. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  59. ^ Jones, Sam (2 November 2017). "Spanish judge jails eight members of deposed Catalan government". The Guardian. London, U.K. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  60. ^ Minder, Raphael (2 November 2017). "Spanish Judge Jails 8 Catalan Separatists Before Trial". The New York Times. New York, U.S.A. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  61. ^ "Eight deposed Catalan ministers sent to prison without bail". Catalan News Agency. Barcelona, Spain. 2 November 2017. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  62. ^ "Jailed Catalonia leader Santi Vila to leave jail after paying bail". Reuters. London, U.K. 3 November 2017. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  63. ^ Liñán, Gemma (3 November 2017). "Former Catalan minister Santi Vila leaves prison on 50,000 euro bail". El Nacional. Barcelona, Spain. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  64. ^ a b "Lawyer alleges mistreatment of jailed ministers". Catalan News Agency. Barcelona, Spain. 3 November 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  65. ^ a b c Liñán, Gemma (3 November 2017). "Catalan ministers reportedly mistreated on way to prison". El Nacional. Barcelona, Spain. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  66. ^ a b "Catalan jailed ministers suffered "unjustifiably vexatious" treatment, says lawyer". Catalan News Agency. Barcelona, Spain. 5 November 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  67. ^ a b c Russell, Greg (7 November 2017). "Communities rally to show their support for imprisoned Catalan politicians". The Herald. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  68. ^ "Las burlas de tres policías nacionales a los consellers en su salida hacia la cárcel". La Vanguardia (in Spanish). Barcelona, Spain. 3 November 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  69. ^ "Un grupo de policías se burla de Junqueras a las puertas de la Audiencia Nacional: "Está llegando un osito a la cárcel"". Eldiario.es (in Spanish). Madrid, Spain. 3 November 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  70. ^ "La Vanguardia". Twitter. 3 November 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  71. ^ "Supreme Court postpones decision over whether to release jailed Catalan leaders until Monday". Catalan News Agency. Barcelona, Spain. 1 December 2017. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  72. ^ "Former Catalan leaders appear before supreme court in Madrid". The Guardian. London, U.K. 17 December 2017. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  73. ^ Castillo, Raquel (1 December 2017). "Former Catalan cabinet members appear before Supreme Court". Reuters. London, U.K. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  74. ^ "Catalonia's ex-vice president Oriol Junqueras refused bail by Spanish Supreme Court". Deutsche Welle. Bonn, Germany. Agence France-Presse/Reuters/Deutsche Presse-Agentur. 4 December 2017. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  75. ^ "Six Catalan ministers freed after 32 days in prison". Catalan News Agency. Barcelona, Spain. 4 December 2017. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  76. ^ Liñán, Gemma (4 December 2017). "Supreme Court judge releases Catalan ministers; Junqueras, Forn and 'Jordis' to stay in prison". El Nacional. Barcelona, Spain. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  77. ^ "Catalonia: Spanish court releases six secessionists on bail, ousted VP Oriol Junqueras still in custody". ABC News. Sydney, Australia. Associated Press/Reuters. 4 December 2017. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  78. ^ Minder, Raphael (4 December 2012). "Judge Frees Some Jailed Catalan Separatists, but Holds Others". The New York Times. New York, U.S.A. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  79. ^ Stone, Jon (4 December 2017). "Catalonia's former vice president kept in jail by Spanish judge as Puigdemont faces extradition deadline". The Independent. London, U.K. Archived from the original on 12 May 2022. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  80. ^ "The Latest: Europe Arrest Warrants for 6 Catalan Separatists". The New York Times. New York, U.S.A. Associated Press. 23 March 2018. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  81. ^ Jones, Sam (23 March 2018). "Spanish court remands Catalan presidential candidate in custody". The Guardian. London, U.K. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  82. ^ "Causa especial 2090/2017" (PDF) (in Spanish). Madrid, Spain: Supreme Court of Spain. 21 March 2018. pp. 68–69. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  83. ^ Berwick, Angus (23 March 2018). "Spain to try Catalan separatist leaders for rebellion". Reuters. London, U.K. Archived from the original on 23 March 2018. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  84. ^ "Thirteen Catalan politicians charged with rebellion". The National. Glasgow, U.K. 23 March 2018. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  85. ^ Catalonia independence leaders on trial in Madrid
  86. ^ "Trial of Catalan Independence Leaders Ends in Spain (Published 2019)". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 29 April 2023.
  87. ^ Catalan separatist leaders handed jail terms for independence bid
  88. ^ Sentencia del ‘procés’: penas de 9 a 13 años para Junqueras y los otros líderes por sedición y malversación (in Spanish)
  89. ^ "Meritxell Borràs s'ha casat aquest cap de setmana a l'espera del judici". El Nacional (in Catalan). Barcelona, Spain. Catalan News Agency. 27 March 2018. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  90. ^ "L'exconsellera Meritxell Borràs s'ha casat aquest cap de setmana per gaudir del vis-a-vis en cas de ser empresonada". Catalunya Diari (in Catalan). Reus, Spain. 27 March 2018. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  91. ^ "Meritxell Borràs matina per dipositar el seu vot". L'HDigital (in Catalan). L’Hospitalet , Spain. 25 May 2003. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
edit