Spain braced for verdict in Catalan separatists' trial
Catalonia leaders jailed for sedition by Spanish court
(about 7 hours later)
Spain's Supreme Court is expected to issue a verdict in the trial of Catalan separatist leaders over their role in an independence referendum in 2017.
Spain's Supreme Court has sentenced nine Catalan separatist leaders to between nine and 13 years in prison for sedition over their role in an independence referendum in 2017.
Spain has deployed more police in Catalonia, amid fears that a guilty ruling could spark more protests in the wealthy north-eastern region.
Three other defendants were found guilty of disobedience and fined, but will not serve prison sentences.
The 12 politicians and activists face charges ranging from rebellion to sedition and misuse of public funds.
The 12 politicians and activists had all denied the charges.
They all deny the charges. Nine of them could face jail sentences.
Separatists in Catalonia were planning mass civil disobedience ahead of the verdict.
Separatists in Catalonia are planning mass civil disobedience if they are not acquitted.
The prosecution had sought up to 25 years in prison for Oriol Junqueras, the former vice-president of Catalonia and the highest-ranking pro-independence leader on trial.
There were clashes between police and protesters two years ago, when Catalonia's pro-independence leaders went ahead with a referendum ruled illegal by Spain's constitutional court.
Mr Junqueras was handed the longest sentence of 13 years for sedition and misuse of public funds.
During closing arguments in June, defence lawyers told the court their clients denied the charges of rebellion and sedition, but admitted to the lesser charge of disobedience, which could have seen them banned from public office - but avoid prison.
The other sentences ranged from nine years upwards.
While the court is said to have ruled out convicting the 12 of the most serious charge of rebellion, the possibility of prison terms remains. The lesser charge of sedition, which does not involve encouraging violence, can still result in up to 12 years in jail.
The nine were acquitted of a more serious charge of rebellion.
Who are the 12 Catalan leaders?
Some held prominent positions in Catalonia's government and parliament, others were influential activists and cultural advocates.
Following four months of hearings, the 12 defendants were each given 15 minutes to present their arguments to prosecutors on the final day of the trial on 12 June.
They told the court in Madrid that they were victims of an injustice in a trial built on "false" charges.
Nine of the defendants have already spent months in pre-trial detention. The remaining three were released on bail.
Carles Puigdemont, the former Catalan president, escaped trial after fleeing Spain in late October 2017 before he could be arrested, along with four others.
What were the accusations?
Prosecutors argued that the unilateral declaration of independence was an attack on the Spanish state and accused some of those involved of a serious act of rebellion.
Defendants also faced the accusation of misuse of public funds in organising the 2017 referendum.
Prosecutors say the leaders carried out a "perfectly planned strategy... to break the constitutional order and obtain the independence of Catalonia" illegally.
Ms Forcadell, the former parliament speaker who read out the independence result on 27 October 2017, was also accused of allowing parliamentary debates on independence despite warnings from Spain's Constitutional Court.
Some of the accused, speaking to the BBC ahead of the trial, said the proceedings were political in nature. Any violence, they said, was on the part of police and was committed against voters in a crackdown which made headlines around the world.
Three weeks after the banned 2017 vote, the Catalan parliament declared an independent republic.
Madrid stepped in to impose its rule on the region, and several Catalan leaders fled or were arrested.
What is behind the Catalonia controversy?
Catalan nationalists have long complained that their region, which has a distinct history dating back almost 1,000 years, sends too much money to poorer parts of Spain, as taxes are controlled by Madrid.
The wealthy region is home to about 7.5 million people, with their own language, parliament, flag and anthem.
In September, a march in Barcelona in support of Catalonia's independence from Spain drew crowds of about 600,000 people - one of the lowest turnouts in the eight-year history of the annual rally.
