Ex-catalan minister bailed as authorities in Spain seek extradition

COURT: St Andrews academic handed herself in over charges of sedition relating to Catalonia independence poll

Former Catalan minister Clara Ponsati has been released on bail after appearing in court in Edinburgh as Spanish authorities seek her extradition.

Ms Ponsati, a professor at St Andrews University, handed herself in to police yesterday as she faces a charge of sedition over her role in Catalonia’s unsanctioned independence referendum in 2017.

She could be sentenced to 15 years behind bars if convicted, with nine other Catalan officials given jail sentences of between nine and 13 years for the same offence last month.

Outside Edinburgh Sheriff Court, her lawyer Aamer Anwar said: “If there is anyone who should be put on trial then it is the Spanish state for unleashing an orgy of violence on the Catalan people, for its assaults on the right to vote, the right to protest and on the fundamental human right to self-determination.

“Clara trusts that her fate now lies in the hands of the Scottish justice system, which she believes to be impartial, robust and independent.

“Our legal system will not be swayed by such interference or threats and will come to a decision based on the law.

“Clara believes that the Catalan people are changing the course of their history and that each act of repression by Spain brings the day that Catalonia is free closer.”

Ms Ponsati faces a single charge of sedition which relates to the organising of the referendum in her role as education minister, Mr Anwar said.

The legal team has been instructed to defend her from what she describes as “judicially motivated revenge”, he added.

The academic had been expected to hand herself in to police last week, but her lawyers said there were “glaring contradictions” in the warrant issued for her arrest.

However, the warrant was accepted by UK authorities for execution following a clarification from Spain’s Supreme Court judge Pablo Llarena.

A procedural hearing is scheduled to take place on December 12 and the full hearing is likely to take place in the spring.

Picture: PA. Former Catalan politician and St Andrews University professor Clara Ponsati, who is facing extradition from Scotland to Spain, with her lawyer Aamer Anwar, right, outside St Leonard’s Police Station in Edinburgh after being released on bail yesterday.

Picture: Getty Images. Protesters hold up signs in support of Clara Ponsati at St Leonards Police Station in Edinburgh yesterday.