ORIOL Junqueras, former vice-president of Catalonia and the most senior of the 12 politicians and activists on trial over the Catalan independence referendum, told Spain’s Supreme Court yesterday that he was “as a political prisoner”.

“I was dismissed as deputy head of the Catalan government after [Madrid took control] ... and because of that I believe I am a political prisoner,” he said.

“I’m convinced that I’m being accused for my ideas and not for my actions.”

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On the third day of their trial on rebellion and sedition charges, the leader of the Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC) dismissed allegations made earlier by prosecutors that independence supporters were responsible for the violence that shocked the world during the October 2017 poll.

He refused to answer questions from prosecutors, but when his lawyer, Andreu Van Den Eynde, asked him if violence was an option to achieve independence, Junqueras replied: “Never, never, never, never ... we have always rejected violence, any form of violence. A noble political goal can become immoral if you use incorrect mechanisms to achieve it.”

He said that while support for independence was in the minority, nothing moved, but when its fortunes began to turn around it became a threat to the old regime which saw the status quo being put at risk. But the referendum had been approved in the Catalan parliament with no appeals against it.

“The constitutionalist bloc must assume the right to self-determination,” he added. “The constitution commits itself to incorporate international treaties. Independence is not only legitimate, but where is it prohibited? Nowhere.

“Nothing we have done is a crime, absolutely nothing. Voting is not a crime but it is a crime to prevent people from doing so using force.

“Working peacefully for the independence of Catalonia is not a crime.”

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Junqueras, who has been in prison since November 2017, also apologised for his, at times rambling, responses: “If at times I’m a little passionate in my answers, it’s because I’ve been a year and a half without being able to talk.”

And he remained defiant on Catalan self-determination: “Our proposals to find a political solution remain absolutely valid.

“We have always tried and we will continue trying whatever the outcome of this process.”

The court also heard from Joaquim Forn, the former home affairs minister who held responsibility for the Catalan police Mossos d’Esquadra, whose officers had been accused by Spain of not doing enough to stop a referendum its government had deemed illegal.

Forn said he had defended the referendum as a politician, but told the Mossos to follow court orders.

He added: “From my position in the government, my role was to comply with the instructions of the public prosecutor ... I made it clear to President [Carles] Puigdemont that the Mossos had to comply with the legal orders.”