Spain jails separatist leaders for up to 13 years for 2017 Catalan independence bid

Spain has jailed nine Catalan separatist politicians over a failed 2017 declaration of independence for Catalonia.

The country's supreme court on Monday sentenced the leaders to between nine and thirteen years in prison after finding them guilty of "sedition".

Three other politicians were found guilty only of "disobedience" and not sentenced to prison.

Supporters of independence have previously pledged to launch a campaign of civil disobedience and protest if any of the leaders were found guilty.

Reacting to the sentences, the high-profile former head of Catalonia's regional government Carles Puigdemont said othat the sentences were an "atrocity".

"It is time to react," he said. "for the future of our sons and daughters. For democracy. For Europe. For Catalonia."

Mr Puigdemont was not covered by the trail because he fled the country, and now lives in self-imposed exile in Belgium.

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