St Andrews professor to surrender to police over role in Catalan independence referendum
Ex-education minister Clara Ponsati will fight calls for extradition from Spanish government
A Catalan professor who teaches economics at the University of St Andrews in Scotland is preparing to hand herself in to Scottish police over her role in the Catalan independence referendum.
Clara Ponsati, 61, a former minister in the pro-independence Catalan government led by deposed leader Carles Puigdemont, fled to Belgium with Puigdemont and other members of his cabinet days after an independence declaration in October was deemed illegal by the Spanish government.
Last week, a European Arrest Warrant was issued for 25 Catalan politicians, including Ponsati, on charges of sedition and rebellion issued by the Spanish supreme court.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Puigdemont was detained in Germany on Sunday while travelling by car from Finland to Belgium.
Ponsati is expected to turn herself into police in the next few days. She will appear in a Scottish court, which does not recognise the sedition as an offence, The Guardian reports.
Scottish newspaper The National reports that she fears she will be “degraded and treated inhumanely” if a Scottish court sends her back to Spain.
Solicitor Aamer Anwar, who is representing Ponsati, says the charges are “political” and a “systematic attempt to criminalise the desire for independence”.
“We will submit there are no guarantees of due process in Spain, of a right to a fair trial in a country where most members of the Catalan government are already in prison or in exile,” he said.
“If returned, we submit she will be subjected to degrading and inhumane treatment by the Spanish authorities.”
The National says there is immense pressure on Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to prevent any extradition attempts by the Spanish government.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - May 4, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - reflections in the pond, riding shotgun, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 high-caliber cartoons about Kristi Noem shooting her puppy
Cartoons Artists take on the rainbow bridge, a farm upstate, and more
By The Week US Published
-
The Week Unwrapped: Why is the world running low on blood?
Podcast Scientists believe universal donor blood is within reach – plus, the row over an immersive D-Day simulation, and an Ozempic faux pas
By The Week Staff Published
-
Xi comes to Europe: what's on the agenda?
The Explainer China's president visiting for first time since 2019, with spotlight on support for Russia over Ukraine and trade tensions with EU
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
John Swinney: the SNP's ultimate 'safe pair of hands'
Why Everyone's Talking About Former leader described as a 'serious person for serious times' is front runner to replace Humza Yousaf
By The Week UK Published
-
Russia gains as Ukraine awaits US aid
Speed Read Ukrainian forces have retreated from several villages as the situation at the front line worsens
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Haiti interim council, prime minister sworn in
Speed Read Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigns amid surging gang violence
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Myanmar: the Spring Revolution and the downfall of the generals
Talking Point An armed protest movement has swept across the country since the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi was overthrown in 2021
By The Week Staff Published
-
Israel hits Iran with retaliatory airstrike
Speed Read The attack comes after Iran's drone and missile barrage last weekend
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is there a peaceful way forward for Israel and Iran?
Today's Big Question Tehran has initially sought to downplay the latest Israeli missile strike on its territory
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Peter Murrell: Sturgeon's husband charged over SNP 'embezzlement' claims
Speed Read SNP expresses 'shock' as former chief executive rearrested in long-running investigation into claims of mishandled campaign funds
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published