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Jailed Catalan Leaders Seek Release

by VOA News

   A Spanish Supreme Court judge in Madrid has begun questioning jailed
   leaders of Catalonia's independence drive who are seeking to be
   released from custody ahead of a regional election later this month.

   Supreme Court magistrate Pablo Llarena on Friday began reviewing the
   jailing of eight members of the dissolved regional government and two
   prominent activists. Catalan Vice President Oriol Junqueras is among
   those imprisoned.

   The eight politicians are facing charges of sedition, rebellion and
   misappropriation of funds after the Catalan government declared
   independence from Spain.

   The two activists are facing sedition charges for their roles in the
   demonstrations in Barcelona.

   Both groups requested the court appearance because most of them are
   running for office in the December 21 regional election that Madrid
   called after its crackdown on Catalonia.