Spain’s jailed pro-independence leaders leave prison after being granted permission

By Isha Sesay • Published: 17 Feb 2020 • 13:19

SPAIN’S jailed pro-independence leaders Carme Forcadell and Dolors Bassa have been temporarily released from prison today after being being granted permission from the respective authorities.

Forcadell, the former parliament speaker, was granted 3 days of leave each week for 9 hours each day in order to take care of her mother, as laid out in article 100.2 in the Spanish constitution. Former minister Bassa was also given permission to take care of an elderly relative under the same instructions as Forcadell.

Last week, the prison authorities’ board agreed that both Bassa and Forcadell could leave prison, with jailed activist Jordi Cuixart also being granted the same deal which is available to prisoners classified as ‘medium category inmates’.

Leaving jail just before 9.30am this morning, Forcadell shared a message to her supporters on social media stating “We persist” alongside a photo of her release.