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French police clear Catalan independence protesters from road French police clear Catalan independence protesters from border
(about 3 hours later)
Pepper spray used against protesters blocking motorway between France and SpainPepper spray used against protesters blocking motorway between France and Spain
French police have used batons and pepper spray to clear Catalan independence activists who have been blocking the motorway between France and Spain in the hope of bringing the Spanish government to the negotiating table.French police have used batons and pepper spray to clear Catalan independence activists who have been blocking the motorway between France and Spain in the hope of bringing the Spanish government to the negotiating table.
Gendarmes moved in on hundreds of protesters gathered around La Jonquera crossing early on Tuesday as officers from the Catalan regional force, the Mossos d’Esquadra, ordered the demonstrators to remove their vehicles and leave the area.Gendarmes moved in on hundreds of protesters gathered around La Jonquera crossing early on Tuesday as officers from the Catalan regional force, the Mossos d’Esquadra, ordered the demonstrators to remove their vehicles and leave the area.
The police operation led to scuffles and some protesters could be seen crying from the effects of the spray. Officers then began towing away vehicles and debris with the aim of reopening the road to traffic.The police operation led to scuffles and some protesters could be seen crying from the effects of the spray. Officers then began towing away vehicles and debris with the aim of reopening the road to traffic.
The protest, which had been due to last three days, was called by Tsunami Democràtic, the anonymous pro-independence group that co-ordinated the blockade of Barcelona-El Prat airport last month.The protest, which had been due to last three days, was called by Tsunami Democràtic, the anonymous pro-independence group that co-ordinated the blockade of Barcelona-El Prat airport last month.
The group, which says it is committed to non-violent action, began its protests in mid-October after the Spanish supreme court jailed nine Catalan separatist leaders for sedition over their role in the failed push for regional independence two years ago.The group, which says it is committed to non-violent action, began its protests in mid-October after the Spanish supreme court jailed nine Catalan separatist leaders for sedition over their role in the failed push for regional independence two years ago.
In a statement released later on Tuesday morning, Tsunami Democràtic urged its followers to block the border at Behobia in the Basque country from 6pm.In a statement released later on Tuesday morning, Tsunami Democràtic urged its followers to block the border at Behobia in the Basque country from 6pm.
The group said the actions, conducted under the slogan “Spain, sit and talk”, were intended to bring about a self-determination referendum in Catalonia.The group said the actions, conducted under the slogan “Spain, sit and talk”, were intended to bring about a self-determination referendum in Catalonia.
Although the north-eastern Spanish region remains evenly divided over the issue of secession, successive pro-independence Catalan government have tried to push ahead with the split, putting them on a collision course with the Spanish state.Although the north-eastern Spanish region remains evenly divided over the issue of secession, successive pro-independence Catalan government have tried to push ahead with the split, putting them on a collision course with the Spanish state.
The supreme court’s decision last month was greeted with anger by many Catalans, and violent unrest broke out in Barcelona and elsewhere.The supreme court’s decision last month was greeted with anger by many Catalans, and violent unrest broke out in Barcelona and elsewhere.
On Tuesday, a top adviser at the EU’s highest court said the European parliament should decide whether one of those jailed for sedition – the former Catalan vice-president Oriol Junqueras – should qualify for immunity because he had been elected an MEP.On Tuesday, a top adviser at the EU’s highest court said the European parliament should decide whether one of those jailed for sedition – the former Catalan vice-president Oriol Junqueras – should qualify for immunity because he had been elected an MEP.
In a non-binding opinion, the European court of justice’s advocate general said Junqeras’s election in May meant that Spain could not suspend his mandate.In a non-binding opinion, the European court of justice’s advocate general said Junqeras’s election in May meant that Spain could not suspend his mandate.
The advocate general, Maciej Szpunar, said he considered that “the European parliament should pronounce on whether to suspend or maintain the immunity of one if its members”.The advocate general, Maciej Szpunar, said he considered that “the European parliament should pronounce on whether to suspend or maintain the immunity of one if its members”.
The case was referred to the European court of justice by Spain’s supreme court, which had sentenced Junqueras to 13 years for sedition and misuse of public funds, barring him from taking up his seat.The case was referred to the European court of justice by Spain’s supreme court, which had sentenced Junqueras to 13 years for sedition and misuse of public funds, barring him from taking up his seat.
Szpunar’s opinion came as the Catalan parliament once again defied Spain’s constitutional court by approving a proposal “to express its will to exercise the right to self-determination in a concrete manner”.Szpunar’s opinion came as the Catalan parliament once again defied Spain’s constitutional court by approving a proposal “to express its will to exercise the right to self-determination in a concrete manner”.
The motion was passed by MPs from the three regional pro-independence parties. MPs from unionist parties – the conservative People’s party, the Catalan Socialist party and the centre-right Citizens party – protested by boycotting the vote.The motion was passed by MPs from the three regional pro-independence parties. MPs from unionist parties – the conservative People’s party, the Catalan Socialist party and the centre-right Citizens party – protested by boycotting the vote.
Spain’s constitution, drawn up following the country’s return to democracy after the Franco dictatorship, is based on “the indissoluble unity of the Spanish nation, the common and indivisible homeland of all Spaniards”.Spain’s constitution, drawn up following the country’s return to democracy after the Franco dictatorship, is based on “the indissoluble unity of the Spanish nation, the common and indivisible homeland of all Spaniards”.