Ex-Catalan minister to appear in court over extradition fight

Clara Ponsati faces charge over independence referendum
By Catherine Salmond
Published 5th Mar 2020, 07:33 BST
Updated 5th Mar 2020, 13:59 BST

An academic facing extradition to Spain is to appear in court in Edinburgh.

Clara Ponsati faces a charge of sedition over her role in Catalonia's unsanctioned independence referendum in 2017.

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Former Catalan politician and University of St Andrews professor Clara Ponsati. Picture: Jane Barlow/PA WireFormer Catalan politician and University of St Andrews professor Clara Ponsati. Picture: Jane Barlow/PA Wire
Former Catalan politician and University of St Andrews professor Clara Ponsati. Picture: Jane Barlow/PA Wire
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She is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Thursday for a further preliminary hearing.

Her legal team previously argued she will have legal immunity if she becomes an MEP as a result of Brexit.

Five seats in the European Parliament were given to Spain due to the UK leaving the EU in January.

The University of St Andrews academic became an MEP as a result.

Arguments on Thursday are expected to centre on the competency of the warrant and issues surrounding dual criminality, which relate to whether the law is an offence in both countries.

It is expected the hearing could last up to two days.