Catalan Crisis Still Shapes Spain as Separatist Trial Begins
- Twelve leaders of 2017 revolt face charges in Madrid courtroom
- Premier needs separatists’ support to pass 2019 budget bill
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The Catalonia drama unfolded on a new stage Tuesday with the start of a historic trial of separatist leaders in Madrid -- and it threatens to claim the scalp of a second Spanish prime minister in less than a year.
Twelve separatists leaders -- led by former Catalan vice-president Oriol Junqueras who is facing up to 25 years in jail -- took their seats before a panel of Supreme Court judges in Madrid as the reckoning begins for the events of late 2017 when the regional government embarked on an illegal bid to split from Spain.