CATALONIA’s independence leaders have been giving their reactions to the sentences they’ve been handed down, with Oriol Junqueras pledging to “come back stronger, firmer and more committed than ever”.

He urged people to “keep going, because we always will”.

Raül Romeva, the former foreign minister, accused Spanish authorities of wanting to convict “a whole movement” and were using the convictions “to eternalise political problems”.

Carme Forcadell, who was the Catalan Parliament Speaker at the time of the indyref, and allowed a vote on the poll, tweeted: “Injustice has been served. Free parliamentary debate is not a crime.”

Josep Rull, the former foreign minister, said they had been convicted for their ideas: “If they had judged the events, we would have been acquitted. As they have put our ideas on trial, they have convicted us.”

Ex-interior minister, Joaquim Forn voiced his thanks to the Catalan people: “Thanks for your support. We're grateful because we know you're always there. We won't give up.”

Jordi Cuixart, one of the pro-indy activists, remained defiant after being sentenced to nine years in prison: “The response to the sentence, do it again. We will do it again. Amnesty, democracy and self-determination.”

Former minister, Jordi Turull, was also unrepentant after being jailed for 12 years: “Long live free Catalonia.”

The other convicted activist leader, turned politician, Jordi Sànchez, said simply: “Injustice. Nine years in jail won't defeat my optimism. Catalonia will be independent if we persist.’’ Another former minister who was convicted but not jailed, Carles Mundó, added: “I'm in shock over the severity of the sentences. This verdict is a big mistake that will weigh heavily on Spain's history.”