Spain's Supreme Court orders trial of former Catalan leaders

The Supreme Court in Spain has ordered 18 former Catalan leaders to stand trial over their role in the region's declaration of independence last year.

In a statement issued on Thursday Oct 25,2018, the court said nine jailed former leaders, including Catalonia's ex-Vice President Oriol Junqueras, should be tried for rebellion, which carries a prison sentence of up to 25 years.

The other nine, who have been released on bail or went into self-imposed exile, face accusations ranging from rebellion to misuse of public funds.

Catalonia's former President Carles Puigdemont, who is in self-imposed exile in Belgium, is not part of the group expected to stand trial because Spain does not allow trials in absentia.

Puigdemont played a key role in the separatist drive which culminated with Catalonia's declaration of independence from Spain on October 27,2017 following a banned secession referendum that was marred by violence.