Catalan president in exile Carles Puigdemont has expressed on Twitter his indignation at the sentences handed down to his former colleagues today by Spain's Supreme Court.
100 anys de presó en total. Una barbaritat. Ara més que mai, al vostre costat i al de les vostres famílies. Toca reaccionar, com mai. Pel futur dels nostres fills i filles. Per la democràcia. Per Europa. Per Cataunya.
— Carles Puigdemont (@KRLS) October 14, 2019
Translation: "100 years in prison in total. An outrage. Now more than ever, [we're] at your side and that of your families. We have to react, as never before. For our children's future. For democracy. For Europe. For Catalonia."
Earlier in the day, he had noted that the sentences are being released on the eve of the anniversary of the death of Lluís Companys, a president of Catalonia executed by the Franco regime and to call for "absolution and freedom".
Absolució i llibertat! @jordialapreso @jcuixart @junqueras @quimforn @ForcadellCarme @jorditurull @raulromeva @joseprull @dolorsbassac
— Carles Puigdemont (@KRLS) October 14, 2019
His former ministers who left with him into exile have also started to comment on the sentences. Former culture minister Lluís Puig chose to write his message in French: "Today, we shouldn't be sad or depressed. It's a great day for the Catalan people which will mark them in their flesh and in all their spirits. An end to/hunger for justice (end to Spanish justice, hunger for justice for the Catalans)."
Aujourd’hui, il ne faut pas être triste ni déprimé. C’est un grand jour pour les catalans qui les marquera dans leurs chairs et dans tous les esprits. Une fin/faim de justice (fin de la justice espagnole, faim de justice pour les Catalans).
— Lluís Puig i Gordi (@LluisPuigGordi) October 14, 2019
Former education minister Clara Ponsatí wrote: "In the face of injustice, revolt. Go out to win!"
Davant la injustícia, la revolta. Sortiu a guanyar!
— Clara Ponsatí (@ClaraPonsati) October 14, 2019
Former agriculture minister and current Catalan representative to the EU, Meritxell Serret: "Today they've consummated a great injustice. Let's show that we're strong in that which really makes a country and makes us win: the people. Let's take care of each other! Let's keep going!"
Avui han consumat una gran injustícia.
— Meritxell Serret (@MeritxellSerret) October 14, 2019
Demostrem que som més forts en allò que realment fa país i ens fa guanyar: la gent.
Cuidem-nos!! 💜
Persistim!! 🌊 pic.twitter.com/o4dFHnCOn9
Former health minister Toni Comín originally retweeted Puigdemont's comments, as well as a message in English from the international account of the ANC.
Nine Catalan political leaders have just been sentenced by the Spanish justice to up to 13 years in prison for exercising the right to self-determination and calling for peaceful protests.
— Assemblea International (@assemblea_int) October 14, 2019
If you care about human rights, copy, paste, tweet this message, and #StandUpForCatalonia pic.twitter.com/mOkV0FCjb4
He later tweeted: "Democrats cannot remain silent in the face of such injustice."
Els demòcrates no poden quedar-se quiets davant de tanta injustícia.#SentenciaProcés#SpainIsAFranquistState
— Toni Comín (@toni_comin) October 14, 2019