International academics unite to condemn pursuit of Catalan politicians

More than 100 international academics have united to demand the European Union intervene over the treatment of Catalan politicians.

Experts in law, human rights, politics, sociology and history have published an open letter calling for action over moves by the Spanish government to pursue criminal charges against politicians supporting the independence cause.

The letter, backed by academics from 19 different countries, includes representatives of Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, St Andrews, Stirling and Strathclyde universities.

It states: “This coming week will see a further escalation in the use of criminal charges and new arrests are expected by Spain against its political opponents. There can be no doubt that we are living the darkest days of Spanish democracy since 1978.

“Those in exile are being hounded by European Arrest Warrants issued under the auspices of the European Union.

“We urge the European Union to intervene stop this repression, which represents an indelible and permanent stain on European democracy.”

St Andrews University has come under fire from Spanish academics for supporting exiled Catalan politician Clara Ponsati, who teaches economics there.