CLARA Ponsatí is to appear at the SNP’s conference in Aberdeen this weekend.
The former Catalan education minister, who lives and works in St Andrews, is currently facing extradition to Spain.
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The Spanish government want the academic to answer charges of violent rebellion and misappropriation of public funds.
According to her solicitor, Aamer Anwar, if extradited and convicted of the charges, Ponsatí could face a total sentence of up to 33 years, sparking fears the 61-year-old could spend the rest of her life locked up.
The fringe event, on Saturday, has been organised by the Young Scots for Independence, the SNP’s influential youth wing, and Ponsatí will be joined by Anwar, along with MP and QC Joanna Cherry.
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Ponsati has said little in public since the Spanish government issued a European Arrest Warrant for her.
The allegations relate to her involvement in organising last year’s Catalan independence referendum, which was ruled illegal by the Spanish courts.
Warrants were also issued for former Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont. The Catalan government was only freed after seven months from the shackles of direct rule from Madrid on Monday.
Ponsatí’s two-week hearing will begin on 30 July.
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