The jailing of Catalan separatists for their role in a failed secession bid will only galvanise the region's independence movement and another referendum is inevitable, the leader hit by the heaviest jail sentence told Reuters.

Jailed Catalan separatist leader says new referendum inevitable

The main defendant in a rebellion case against Catalan separatist leaders accused Spain of putting a "peaceful" independence movement on trial as he took the stand Thursday in the country's most politically explosive trial in decades.

Catalan separatist defends 'peaceful' independence movement at trial

The lead defendant in the trial of 12 Catalan separatist leaders, former regional vice president Oriol Junqueras, refused to answer prosecutors' questions in court on Thursday.

Catalan separatist Oriol Junqueras refuses to answer prosecutors at trial

The trial of 12 Catalan separatist leaders involved in a bid to secede from Spain that plunged the country into crisis starts on Tuesday under intense scrutiny and controversy.

Catalan separatists face long-awaited trial in Madrid

Hundreds of thousands of Catalans marched Saturday to demand the release of regional officials jailed for their push for independence from Spain, which has left the country mired in a political crisis

Catalans inundate Barcelona to demand leaders' freedom

Carles Puigdemont and four of his former ministers were released with conditions in Belgium on Sunday

Sacked Catalan leader Puigdemont freed on bail in Belgium

A Spanish judge issued an EU arrest warrant for Catalonia's deposed separatist leader Carles Puigdemont, a day after he failed to appear for questioning over his role in the region's tumultuous independence drive

Spanish judge issues arrest warrant for Catalan leader Puigdemont

Catalonia's deposed separatist leader Carles Puigdemont sought legal advice in Belgium on Monday where he spoke to a lawyer who has worked on asylum cases, as prosecutors in Spain demanded he be charged with rebellion.

Accused of rebellion Catalon leader 'flees to Belgium'

Catalonia's ousted leader Carles Puigdemont said on Tuesday he accepted the snap election called by Spain's central government after Madrid took control of the region to block its push for independence.

Ousted Catalan leader Puigdemont accepts new election, says 'long road' to independence

The Senate, where Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's Popular Party holds a majority, is scheduled to vote on steps to depose Catalonia's secessionist government before the week is out, after the region held an unlawful independence referendum on October 1.

Spain poised to roll back Catalonia's regional autonomy

Madrid has threatened to put Catalonia, which accounts for a fifth of Spain?s economy, under direct central rule if its regional government does not abandon independence by Thursday.

Catalonia refuses to renounce independence, separatist protesters rally