Two key members of Catalonia’s independence movement have been detained pending an investigation into alleged sedition.<br /><br />Prosecutors allege that Jordi Sanchez who heads the Catalan National Assembly (ANC) and Jordi Cuixart leader of Omnium Cultural played central roles in orchestrating the Oct 1 referendum.<br /><br />They are also accused of orchestrating pro-independence protests that trapped national police inside a Barcelona building and destroyed their vehicles.<br /><br />Anticipating his arrest Sanchez recorded a video saying This is not justice. It’s an act aimed at frightening us and punishing us for defending freedom”. <br /><br />Catalan regional President Carles Puigdemont Tweeted: “They are trying to imprison ideas, but they have strengthened our need for freedom”.<br /><br />He also commented, “ Spain jails Catalonia’s civil society leaders for organising peaceful demonstrations. Sadly, we have political prisoners once again.” – an allusion to Spain’s military dictatorship under Francisco Franco.<br /><br />Later dozens of people in Barcelona showed they discomfort with the detentions by leaning on their balconies, many decorated with pro-independence flags, and banging pots.<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br />Barcelona Firefighters tonight protest againt the detention of civical Catalonia’s leaders pic.twitter.com/rTg8p9PqP7— Help Catalonia (@CataloniaHelp2) October 16, 2017<br /><br /><br /> <br /><br /><br />Just hours before the decision to detain the two men, the High Court freed the head of Catalonia’s police force, Josep Lluis Trapero.<br /><br />His force, the Mossos d’Esquadra, is accused of failing to help Spain’s Guardia Civil police tackle thousands of pro-independence protesters in Barcelona during the run-up to the referendum.<br /><br />The arrests of Sanchez and Cuixart are however being seen as a hardening of Madrid’s stance. Catalan’s leader has until Thursday to back down over his apparent independence bid.<br />
