Judge Frees Some Jailed Catalan Separatists, but Holds Others

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Judge Frees Some Jailed Catalan Separatists, but Holds Others 4, 2017 MADRID — A Spanish judge on Monday ordered the release on bail of six Catalan separatist politicians, just three weeks before regional elections, while keeping four others in custody. The Supreme Court took over the case of Mr. Junqueras and the other separatist leaders after they were jailed without bail by a judge on the National Court, the country’s highest criminal court. Two of the separatist leaders were jailed by a different Spanish judge in mid-October for orchestrating a protest in September against Spanish police officers who had raided a Catalan government building and detained some officials. Mr. Puigdemont’s lawyer told the Belgian news media on Saturday that the five former Catalan ministers were likely to stay in Belgium until after the Catalan elections on Dec. 21, and possibly even until mid-January. Separatists, including Mr. Puigdemont, the former Catalan leader, have argued that Spain’s judiciary jailed Catalan leaders unjustifiably on political grounds. Most Catalan separatist politicians have recently softened their positions, recognizing Mr. Rajoy’s right to impose direct rule on the region, which he did on Oct. 27 after separatist lawmakers voted for independence.