Two Catalan Pro-independence Leaders Sent To Detention By Spanish Judge

Two major members of the Catalan independence movement have been jailed by a Spanish judge.Jordi Sánchez andJordi Cuixart, who lead prominent separatist groups, are being held without bail while they are under investigation for sedition. The men were leading figures in the 1 October independence vote, which the Madrid government regards as illegal.

A protest over the detentions has begun in Barcelona and other demonstrations across Catalonia are expected later. Mr Sánchez, who heads the Catalan National Assembly (ANC), a pro-independence organisation, and Mr Cuixart, leader of Omnium Cultural, appeared before the High Court in Madrid on Monday.

They are being investigated over a protest on 20 September in which a crowd blocked Civil Guard officers inside a building in Barcelona, Catalonia's regional capital.