Greens/EFA asks for release of political leaders

Yesterday, nine Catalan political leaders (including 2 former MEPs) were imprisoned. Whatever the charges levelled at them by the Spanish judiciary, the Greens/EFA in the European Parliament consider that this action was unwise and disappropriate and can only further poison the political situation in Spain. The issue at stake is primarily political, not judicial; it calls for a political solution, say Presidents Ska Keller and Philippe Lamberts. 

"If the elections called in Catalonia for December are to contribute to a political solution, they must be run in a pacified climate, involving all parties. Therefore, we call on the Spanish authorities to release the nine jailed political leaders. 

The silence of the European Institutions remains astounding. While the European Commission is right to assert the rule of law as a foundation of the Union, so are fairness, building bridges and democratic principles, which have to be respected in all Member States. The European Commission is no less responsible of upholding the latter than the former."