Catalan leaders did not stage a coup, trial told

Lawyers for 12 Catalan independence leaders charged with rebellion have denied that their clients engaged in a “coup d’etat” when staging an independence referendum in 2017.

The supreme court has heard from more than 400 witnesses, including Mariano Rajoy, the former Spanish prime minister, during a controversial trial, which drew to a close yesterday.

But the political consequences of the court action remain uncertain and Spain remains deeply divided on the question of Catalan independence.

“The best thing for everyone would be to take the question back to the realm of politics, dialogue and agreement,” said Oriol Junqueras, the former deputy president of Catalonia, in closing remarks for his defence.