Ponsati battle may see ex-ministers called

St AndrewS: Catalan academic carries on fight against extradition

Lawyers for Clara Ponsati are looking at whether to call former Spanish government ministers to court as part of her battle against extradition.

The former Catalan education minister’s legal team confirmed it is considering citing ex-ministers from Mariano Rajoy’s recently-ousted administration as witnesses when the full hearing gets under way in Scotland later this year.

Her solicitor said the unnamed people could be asked to comment on “controversial comments” said to have been made about St Andrews University academic Professor Ponsati’s case.

Aamer Anwar spoke following a procedural hearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, during which it emerged the Crown and the academic’s legal team are drawing up a list of experts to give evidence during the four-week hearing scheduled to take place during the summer.

Speaking outside court, Mr Anwar said: “We’re instructed to consider citing to our court ex-ministers from Rajoy’s regime to expand on their controversial comments that fall within the ambit of victimisation and political persecution.”

Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez was recently sworn in as Spain’s prime minister, after he successfully ousted predecessor Mr Rajoy in a no-confidence vote.

Prof Ponsati is being sought by the authorities in Madrid on charges of violent rebellion and misappropriation of public funds over her role in Catalonia’s controversial independence referendum last year.

Her legal team, who describe the prosecution as “politically motivated” by Spain, say she could face a total sentence of up to 33 years if she is sent there and convicted of the charges, raising fears the 61-year-old could spend the rest of her life in jail.

Mr Anwar said of Tuesday’s hearing: “The Crown has confirmed that it accepts rebellion is not covered by the box-ticking exercise of corruption in the framework of the extradition treaty...

“Her Majesty’s Advocate, acting on behalf of the Kingdom of Spain, has had since March to confirm what crime would have been committed in the law of Scotland and this has yet to be clarified.

“Our position remains that we cannot see what crime known to the law of Scotland has allegedly been committed by Professor Clara Ponsati.”

John Scott QC, for the Crown, earlier told the court a little more time was needed to consider the issue of what crime or crimes would be covered in Scotland. He added that witnesses were still being identified “on both sides of the table”.

Prof Ponsati was excused from attending yesterday’s hearing before Sheriff Nigel Ross QC.

Gordon Jackson QC, representing the academic, said the team had consulted with various experts in England and had been visited by a Spanish solicitor.

A further hearing will take place on July 5.

We cannot see what crime known to the law of Scotland has allegedly been committed by Professor Clara Ponsati. AAMER ANWAR

Picture: Getty Images. Catalan politician Clara Ponsati addresses a fringe event at the SNP spring conference. Her legal team may call former Spanish ministers in her fight to stay in the UK.