Spain's supreme court has sentenced Catalonia's former deputy leader to 13 years in prison over his role in a banned 2017 independence referendum.

Oriol Junqueras, the region's former vice president, was found guilty of misuse of public funds and sedition, implying he promoted public disorder to subvert the law.

Another eight separatist leaders, out of 12 on trial, were also found guilty of sedition and have been jailed for between nine and 13 years.

Image: Oriol Junqueras was vice president of Catalonia until he was removed in October 2017

Image: Pro-independence supporters in Barcelona carry a banner reading 'Free political prisoners'

The group had attempted to break Catalonia - the small northeastern region home to Barcelona - away from Spain following the illegal vote.

Following the sentencing, the supreme court issued a European arrest warrant for Catalonia's former president, Carles Puigdemont, who is living in self-imposed exile in Belgium.


Before the warrant, he called the decision to jail to imprison the group a "barbarity".

He tweeted: "100 years of imprisonment in total. A barbarity. Now more than ever, will will be by your side and that of your families.

"Tap react, like never before. For the future of our sons and daughters. For democracy. For Europe. For Catalonia."

Image: There were huge street celebrations in Barcelona after the 2017 vote

Hundreds of extra police were deployed before the decision, as pro-secession groups had warned of protests and "peaceful civil disobedience" if any of the group were convicted.

Hundreds of students and civil servants soon began protesting in Barcelona, some blocking roads and gathering outside government buildings.

Protests were also reported in other towns across the region.

Barcelona football club criticised the convictions, saying "prison is not the solution" and a resolution over independence should come "exclusively from political dialogue".

It called on "political leaders to lead a process of dialogue and negotiation" to pave the way for the prisoners' release.

Image: Ninety percent of those who voted wanted Catalonia to be independent

Spain's caretaker prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, appeared on TV and said that "abiding by the sentence means its mandatory compliance".

The socialist leader, who is trying to remain in power in an election next month, warned that his government would be watching developments and would respond "with firmness" and "proportionally" to any illegal activity.

He called for the sentences to open a "new era" that should leave behind "extremism" and foster dialogue.

Image: Spain's acting prime minister Pedro Sanchez said the sentences must be carried out

Josep Rull, Catalonia's former regional government councillor - sentenced to 10 years and six months, said: "If they had judged us on the facts, they would have acquitted us.

"Because they have judged ideas, they have condemned us.

"Condemning us, they have condemned the 2.5 million Catalans who voted on 1 October in one of the most extraordinary exercises of democracy that Europe has seen in the 21st century."

Former cabinet members Raul Romeva, Jordi Turull and Dolors Bassa were also jailed, receiving 12 years for sedition and misuse of public funds.

Regional parliament speaker Carme Forcadell was jailed for 11-and-a-half years, former cabinet member Joaquim Forn to 10-and-a-half years, and grassroots pro-independence activists Jordi Sanchez and Jordi Cuixart nine years.

Image: Carles Puigdemont, in exile in Belgium, called the sentences 'a barbarity'

The three other defendants, former cabinet members Santiago Vila, Meritxell Borras and Carles Mundo, were fined for disobedience but not jailed.

More than 90% voted for Catalonia to become an independent republic in the 2017 vote.

Hundreds of thousands took to the streets following the result, but there were also anti-secessionist demonstrations from people who want to stay part of Spain.

Former prime minister Mariano Rajoy imposed direct rule on Catalonia, dissolving its parliament and suspending its autonomy.

Several high-ranking members were detained but Mr Puigdemont and four other leaders fled to Brussels.

Catalonia accounts for about 16% of Spain's 46 million population and contributes about 20% of the country's GDP.

Image: Many people also took part in demonstrations to stay part of Spain

It produces one third of Spain's exports and receives one third of its foreign investment.

With a different language and distinct culture from the rest of Spain, its levels of autonomy have varied over time.