Top Court announces historic Judgement as Catalan Separatists found guilty of sedition.

Catalan Separatists found guilty: Top Court announces Judgement

Spain's Supreme Court on Monday <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spain-arrests-nine-catalan-separatists-suspected-of-plotting-violence-251549">sentenced nine Catalan leaders to prison</a> terms of between nine and 13 years for sedition for their role in a failed 2017 independence bid.&nbsp;

The long-awaited verdicts were less than those demanded by the prosecution which had sought up to 25 years behind bars for former Catalan Vice President Oriol Junqueras on grounds of rebellion.&nbsp;

Spain has been bracing for weeks for the court's ruling, with tension mounting steadily and police sending reinforcements to Catalonia where separatists have pledged a mass response of civil disobedience.

Former Catalan regional Carles Puigdemont called the sentences an "outrage."

"100 years in all. An outrage. Now more than ever, by your side and those of your families. It is time to react as never before," tweeted Puigdemont, who fled to Belgium to avoid prosecution.

The 12 defendants, most of them members of the former Catalan government, were put on trial in February for their role in the banned October 1, 2017 &nbsp;referendum and the short-lived independence declaration that followed it.&nbsp;

"The Supreme Court condemns Oriel Junqueras to 13 years of prison... on grounds of sedition and the misuse of public funds," the ruling said, handing 12 years to three other former regional ministers.&nbsp;

Former parliamentary speaker Carme Forcadell was handed 11 years and six months in jail, while two influential Catalan civic leaders, Jordi Sanchez and Jordi Cuixart, were sentenced to nine years prison.

Only three of the 12 leaders, who faced lesser charges, escaped jail time and were handed a fine.&nbsp;

Junqueras served as the main defendant after his boss, Puigdemont, fled to Belgium.&nbsp;

The government is hoping the long-awaited ruling will allow it to turn the page on the crisis in the wealthy northeastern region where support for independence has been gaining momentum over the past decade.&nbsp;

But the separatist movement is hoping for just the opposite: that the anticipated guilty verdicts will unite their divided ranks and bring supporters onto the streets.

Activists gear up to protest

Activists from the region's two biggest grassroots pro-independence groups, the Catalan National Assembly (ANC) and Omnium Cultural, have urged followers to rally on the evening of the verdict.

In the coming days, demonstrators will march from five towns towards Barcelona where they will congregate on Friday, when a general strike has been called.

Activists from the radical CDR (Committees for the Defence of the Republic), have also promised "surprises". On Sunday they briefly occupied the main train station in Barcelona before cutting traffic on a main avenue of the city.

Anti-riot police have been discreetly deployed to Catalonia but the interior ministry has refused to give numbers.&nbsp;

For many, the situation has brought back memories of tensions in the street in the run-up to the October 1, 2017 referendum which was marred by police violence, and ahead of the short-lived independence declaration of October 27.&nbsp;

In recent weeks, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has made it clear that his government will not tolerate any violence, warning he will not hesitate to renew a suspension of Catalan autonomy, as happened two years ago.&nbsp;

The situation is worrying the main Catalan business lobby which said although the verdict would have a "significant emotional impact", it was important the response avoided disrupting "business activity or social cohesion".

Sedition not rebellion

By definition, the most serious charge of rebellion is "rising up in a violent and public manner" to, among other things, "declare independence for part of the (Spanish) territory".

Sedition, however, is "rising up publicly and in turbulent fashion" to "prevent by force or in an illegal way" the law from being applied, or the application of an administrative or legal decision.&nbsp;

The trial comes just weeks before Spain heads to the polls for its fourth election in as many years, putting the Catalan question once more at the centre of the political debate.&nbsp;

Although Sanchez's government is hoping the trial's end might give fresh impetus to dialogue, Junqueras' leftwing ERC party has said it would not be possible without an "amnesty" for "political prisoners and those in exile".

Spain's Supreme Court on Monday sentenced nine Catalan leaders to prison terms of between nine and 13 years for sedition for their role in a failed 2017 independence bid.

Spain's Supreme Court on Monday sentenced nine Catalan leaders to prison terms of between nine and 13 years for sedition for their role in a failed 2017 independence bid. The long-awaited verdicts were less than those demanded by the prosecution which had sought up to 25 years behind bars for former Catalan Vice President Oriol Junqueras on grounds of rebellion. Spain has been bracing for weeks for the court's ruling, with tension mounting steadily and police sending reinforcements to Catalonia where separatists have pledged a mass response of civil disobedience. Former Catalan regional Carles Puigdemont called the sentences an "outrage." "100 years in all. An outrage. Now more than ever, by your side and those of your families. It is time to react as never before," tweeted Puigdemont, who fled to Belgium to avoid prosecution. The 12 defendants, most of them members of the former Catalan government, were put on trial in February for their role in the banned October 1, 2017 referendum and the short-lived independence declaration that followed it. "The Supreme Court condemns Oriel Junqueras to 13 years of prison... on grounds of sedition and the misuse of public funds," the ruling said, handing 12 years to three other former regional ministers. Former parliamentary speaker Carme Forcadell was handed 11 years and six months in jail, while two influential Catalan civic leaders, Jordi Sanchez and Jordi Cuixart, were sentenced to nine years prison. Only three of the 12 leaders, who faced lesser charges, escaped jail time and were handed a fine. Junqueras served as the main defendant after his boss, Puigdemont, fled to Belgium. The government is hoping the long-awaited ruling will allow it to turn the page on the crisis in the wealthy northeastern region where support for independence has been gaining momentum over the past decade. But the separatist movement is hoping for just the opposite: that the anticipated guilty verdicts will unite their divided ranks and bring supporters onto the streets. Activists gear up to protest Activists from the region's two biggest grassroots pro-independence groups, the Catalan National Assembly (ANC) and Omnium Cultural, have urged followers to rally on the evening of the verdict. In the coming days, demonstrators will march from five towns towards Barcelona where they will congregate on Friday, when a general strike has been called. Activists from the radical CDR (Committees for the Defence of the Republic), have also promised "surprises". On Sunday they briefly occupied the main train station in Barcelona before cutting traffic on a main avenue of the city. Anti-riot police have been discreetly deployed to Catalonia but the interior ministry has refused to give numbers. For many, the situation has brought back memories of tensions in the street in the run-up to the October 1, 2017 referendum which was marred by police violence, and ahead of the short-lived independence declaration of October 27. In recent weeks, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has made it clear that his government will not tolerate any violence, warning he will not hesitate to renew a suspension of Catalan autonomy, as happened two years ago. The situation is worrying the main Catalan business lobby which said although the verdict would have a "significant emotional impact", it was important the response avoided disrupting "business activity or social cohesion". Sedition not rebellion By definition, the most serious charge of rebellion is "rising up in a violent and public manner" to, among other things, "declare independence for part of the (Spanish) territory". Sedition, however, is "rising up publicly and in turbulent fashion" to "prevent by force or in an illegal way" the law from being applied, or the application of an administrative or legal decision. The trial comes just weeks before Spain heads to the polls for its fourth election in as many years, putting the Catalan question once more at the centre of the political debate. Although Sanchez's government is hoping the trial's end might give fresh impetus to dialogue, Junqueras' leftwing ERC party has said it would not be possible without an "amnesty" for "political prisoners and those in exile".

Spain jails nine Catalan leaders up to 13 years for sedition

The chairman of the National Commission for Minorities, Ghayorul Hasan Rizvi, has reportedly said the people who cheer Pakistan (during a cricket match) can go there.&nbsp;

Or better still, be deported there.&nbsp;

The Indian Express reported Rizvi as saying: &ldquo;I was asked about people, including those in Kashmir, who celebrated Pakistani win (in the Champions Trophy final). I said these are people whose mind and heart are actually in Pakistan, just their bodies are here, so they too should go there. Or better still, they should be deported across the border.&rdquo;&nbsp;

India had lost to Pakistan in the Champions Trophy final.&nbsp;

There had been reports of celebrations in Kashmir, where there is tremendous anti-India feeling, following the loss.&nbsp;

And 17 men -- 15 in Madhya Pradesh and two in Karnataka -- had been charged with sedition, again allegedly for celebrating Pakistan&#39;s win.&nbsp;

It is however difficult to explain the arrests -- the Supreme Court has said a person cannot be charged with sedition if he or she has not incited violence. &nbsp;

Rizvi took over as chairman of the National Minorities Commission in May, before which he was national general secretary of the BJP Minority Morcha.&nbsp;

The Express reported that one of the first statements Rizvi made after taking over was his &ldquo;personal belief&rdquo; that the Kashmiri Pandits should be given the status of a minority.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

'Or better still, they should be deported across the border,' he added

The chairman of the National Commission for Minorities, Ghayorul Hasan Rizvi, has reportedly said the people who cheer Pakistan (during a cricket match) can go there. Or better still, be deported there. The Indian Express reported Rizvi as saying: “I was asked about people, including those in Kashmir, who celebrated Pakistani win (in the Champions Trophy final). I said these are people whose mind and heart are actually in Pakistan, just their bodies are here, so they too should go there. Or better still, they should be deported across the border.” India had lost to Pakistan in the Champions Trophy final. There had been reports of celebrations in Kashmir, where there is tremendous anti-India feeling, following the loss. And 17 men -- 15 in Madhya Pradesh and two in Karnataka -- had been charged with sedition, again allegedly for celebrating Pakistan's win. It is however difficult to explain the arrests -- the Supreme Court has said a person cannot be charged with sedition if he or she has not incited violence. Rizvi took over as chairman of the National Minorities Commission in May, before which he was national general secretary of the BJP Minority Morcha. The Express reported that one of the first statements Rizvi made after taking over was his “personal belief” that the Kashmiri Pandits should be given the status of a minority.

Chairman of National Minorities Commission: Those who cheer for Pakistan can go there

India&#39;s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today alleged that the Congress was playing with the country&#39;s national security and said a clean chit by the Congress leader and home minister of southern Karnataka, G Parameshwara, to rights group Amnesty International makes it obvious that he is working on the orders of his party&#39;s high command. 
 
BJP leader S Prakash said Parameshwara has given a clean chit to Amnesty International in the anti-India sloganeering controversy as per the diktat of the Congress central leadership. 
 
&quot;After a long deliberation, they (Bengaluru Police) decided to file a case on sedition charges. The home ministry I believe comes under G Parameshwara. It is his department, which has filed the case. Now, he has given the clean chit even before the report is submitted. It is very clear that he is acting under the pressure of the high command,&quot; Prakash said. 
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<h5>The clean chit from the home minister came even as the organisation faces sedition charges over an event where anti-India slogans were allegedly raised.</h5>
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Demanding that an impartial investigation must be done into the matter, the BJP leader expressed his disappointment that the clean chit has been given to Amnesty International even before the report was submitted. 
 
&quot;As far I am concerned, the investigation is over because the home minister has himself given a clean chit and no police officer will indict the Amnesty (International) anymore. It is a serious issue, you would have allowed the investigation to go on,&quot; he added. 
 
The Karnataka home minister yesterday said Amnesty India has never involved itself in any kind of anti-national activities. 
 
&quot;Amnesty International is not new to Bengaluru. This organisation has been functioning here for a long time. I don&#39;t know nor I have heard in the past about it or anyone from it involving in any anti-national activities,&quot; Parameshwara said. 
 
&quot;They had organised a programme about the Army&#39;s excesses in Kashmir. They had called a few families (from Kashmir) to console them and give them some sort of mental support, in which certain incidents took place about which an FIR has been registered,&quot; he added. 
 
The clean chit from the home minister came even as the organisation faces sedition charges over an event where anti-India slogans were allegedly raised. 
 
The Amnesty International had earlier on August 13 organised an event as part of a campaign to seek justice for &quot;victims of human rights violations&quot; in Jammu and Kashmir that took an ugly turn with heated exchanges and alleged raising anti-India slogans. 
 
Mounting pressure on the government post the incident, the BJP activists staged protests on the streets demanding that a case of sedition be registered against Amnesty International. 
 
(ANI) 
 
 
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The home minister of Congress-ruled Karnataka yesterday said Amnesty India has never involved itself in any kind of anti-national activities

India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today alleged that the Congress was playing with the country's national security and said a clean chit by the Congress leader and home minister of southern Karnataka, G Parameshwara, to rights group Amnesty International makes it obvious that he is working on the orders of his party's high command. BJP leader S Prakash said Parameshwara has given a clean chit to Amnesty International in the anti-India sloganeering controversy as per the diktat of the Congress central leadership. "After a long deliberation, they (Bengaluru Police) decided to file a case on sedition charges. The home ministry I believe comes under G Parameshwara. It is his department, which has filed the case. Now, he has given the clean chit even before the report is submitted. It is very clear that he is acting under the pressure of the high command," Prakash said. The clean chit from the home minister came even as the organisation faces sedition charges over an event where anti-India slogans were allegedly raised. Demanding that an impartial investigation must be done into the matter, the BJP leader expressed his disappointment that the clean chit has been given to Amnesty International even before the report was submitted. "As far I am concerned, the investigation is over because the home minister has himself given a clean chit and no police officer will indict the Amnesty (International) anymore. It is a serious issue, you would have allowed the investigation to go on," he added. The Karnataka home minister yesterday said Amnesty India has never involved itself in any kind of anti-national activities. "Amnesty International is not new to Bengaluru. This organisation has been functioning here for a long time. I don't know nor I have heard in the past about it or anyone from it involving in any anti-national activities," Parameshwara said. "They had organised a programme about the Army's excesses in Kashmir. They had called a few families (from Kashmir) to console them and give them some sort of mental support, in which certain incidents took place about which an FIR has been registered," he added. The clean chit from the home minister came even as the organisation faces sedition charges over an event where anti-India slogans were allegedly raised. The Amnesty International had earlier on August 13 organised an event as part of a campaign to seek justice for "victims of human rights violations" in Jammu and Kashmir that took an ugly turn with heated exchanges and alleged raising anti-India slogans. Mounting pressure on the government post the incident, the BJP activists staged protests on the streets demanding that a case of sedition be registered against Amnesty International. (ANI)

Amnesty row: India's ruling party accuses Congress of playing with national security

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