Issuance of Arrest Warrant for Two Catalan Independence Leaders by Spanish Court

Reports indicate that a judge from Spain's Supreme Court issued an arrest warrant for two leaders of the Catalan independence movement on Monday, October 16. According to Reuters, Jordi Sánchez, president of the Catalan National Assembly (ANC), and Jordi Cuixart, leader of the Òmnium Cultural movement, have been imprisoned pending investigation. Prosecutors have accused the two of being key leaders in organizing the Catalan independence referendum. Meanwhile, the chief of police in Catalonia has also been accused of colluding with separatists. AFP reports that the two independence leaders are also accused of organizing protests that led to the destruction of police vehicles outside the Ministry of Economy. Catalan independence organizations condemned the arrests of Jordi Sánchez and Jordi Cuixart, rejecting the charges against them. Political organizations of the separatists have called for protests in response to the arrests. The Spanish government does not recognize the Catalan independence referendum. However, the leader of the Catalan government has not declared independence yet. Carlos Puigdemont, the leader of the Catalan government, reiterated on Thursday that the region seeks to negotiate with Madrid regarding independence from Spain. The Spanish government has given a five-day ultimatum to the autonomous Catalan government to clarify the status of independence for the region. The Catalan independence referendum was held despite strong opposition from Madrid, and regional leaders have stated that over 40% of eligible voters participated, with 90% of them favoring separation from Spain. The central Spanish government claims this referendum is illegal, citing the constitution enacted after the death of General Franco, Spain's last dictator, in 1978. Catalonia is a wealthy region in Spain with its own language and culture, and if it separates from Madrid, it would impact a portion of the country's exports and economy.