Catalan's parliament speaker faces jail

By Senhan Bolelli

MADRID (AA) - A Spanish court late Thursday ruled prison for Catalan's former parliament's speaker Carme Forcadell after their declaration of independence two weeks ago.

Forcadell will be released on bail at €150,000 ($175,000), the court ruled.

Forcadell and five other members of the Catalan parliament were charged with rebellion, sedition and the misuse of public funds related to the Catalan independence process.

They will also be released on bail at €25,000 ($29,000), the court ruled.

The ruling came after a Belgium court last week released Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont and four other members of his Cabinet who earlier turned themselves into Belgian police.

Many of the independence leaders, including Puigdemont, have also been fired from their positions by Spain’s central government, which is now in control of the region.

According to Spanish law, Deputy Prime Minister Soraya Saenz de Santamaria is now the official leader of Catalonia.

On Oct. 27, Catalonia’s separatist-led parliament voted to declare independence from Spain.

Minutes later the Spanish Senate enacted Article 155 of the constitution, which allows Madrid to take direct control of Catalonia, dismiss separatist leaders and trigger regional elections.