MARIANO Rajoy, the former prime minister of Spain and the incumbent Pedro Sanchez are to be cited to give evidence in a Scottish court in the Clara Ponsati extradition case.
Details emerged this morning at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in a procedural hearing concerning the European Arrest Warrant issued by Spain for The University of St Andrews academic.
She faces a charge of sedition over her role in the Catalan independence referendum in 2017.
Gordon Jackson QC told the court her defence would call senior figures from Spain’s judiciary and political world to give evidence.
He said one issue to be considered was whether Ponsati would be given a fair trial in Spain.
Her lawyer Aamer Anwar said outside the court: “Spain’s politically motivated prosecutions are driven by vengeance and a total contempt and lack of respect for international law and human rights.
“On that basis we intend to cite some of the following witnesses whose views on the political trials of the Catalans are a matter of public record.
“We will seek the assistance of the Spanish state in asking them to attend.”
The list included Sanchez and Rajoy, as well as Josep Borrell, former Spanish foreign minister responsible for the “Scottish papers” which triggered the sacking of Spain’s consul in Scotland.
The next hearing will be on January 23.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel