On Tuesday, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez pardoned nine Catalan separatist politicians who were convicted over the failed Catalan independence bid in 2017.
"If he [Sanchez] has any dignity left, he should resign today," Casado said.
While those pardoned will be freed from prison, they will not be able to hold elected and state posts. A probationary has also been established, so the pardon can be canceled if they commit any serious crime during this time. The decrees have been signed by King Felipe VI and published on Wednesday.
"You promised not to pardon the prisoners and not to bring [the former head of the Catalan Generalitat] Puigdemont to court. You put the fate of Spain in the hands of the separatists… You release nine criminals from prison so that they do not remove you from Moncloa [residence of the prime minister]. Respect this parliament, tell me why you betrayed your oath to defend the equality of all Spaniards," the People's Party leader Casado said.
Meanwhile, Sanchez said that Spain should move along a path of reconciliation.
“The pardons seek to regain coexistence. This Government believes in the union of Spain, of the Spanish people. And it assumes the territorial diversity of our country with pride, as part of its strength. It is time to resume the dialogue,” the PM tweeted on Wednesday.
In October 2019 the Supreme Court sentenced 12 Catalan politicians for their involvement in the illegal referendum. Nine were found guilty of mutiny and received sentences ranging from nine to 13 years. Three were found guilty of insubordination and sentenced to fines.
At the end of May 2021, the Spanish Supreme Court opposed a previous pardon bid because the sentenced politicians did not show any signs of remorse.
