Spain sentence Catalan politicians to 100 years in prison

12 former Catalan politicians have been convicted for their roles in the 2017 secession movement. In a landmark ruling, nine politicians have been ordered to serve between nine and 13 years in prison for sedition following the region's failed attempt at independence.

Spain's Supreme Court sentenced Oriol Junqueras, the former regional vice president of Catalonia, to 13 years for sedition and misuse of public funds.

The remaining three were found guilty only of disobedience and not sentenced to prison. All 12 were acquitted of the most serious charge of rebellion.

Spanish authorities have acted swiftly to pre-empt protests in Catalonia by deploying extra police officers to the area.

Separatist groups had called for "peaceful civil disobedience" if any of the politicians were found guilty. In a message on Twitter, Carles Puigdemont of the center-right separatist party of Catalonia said "100 years in prison in total. An outrage".

"Now more than ever, on your side and on your family's side. For the future of our children. For democracy. For Europe".

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez released his own video defending the decision saying Spain is one of the world's "most free and safe" countries.

(Cover: People protest holding a banner reading "Take the streets" in Barcelona on October 14, 2019)

(REUTERS & AP)