Catalan party wants 'political prisoners' release

A leader of one of Catalonia's largest pro-independence parties says party members only will participate in upcoming regional elections if Spanish authorities release jailed Catalan separatists.

Republican Left Secretary General Marta Rovira said Saturday that for the party to field candidates in the December election, "it is necessary that all the political prisoners are released from prison."

A Spanish judge has sent eight former members of the ousted Catalan regional government and two leaders of secessionist grassroots groups to jail while they are investigated for possible sedition and rebellion charges.

Prosecutors are looking to charge all members of the dismissed government for their parts in pushing through a declaration of independence by Catalonia's Parliament.

Republican Left president Oriol Junqueras, the former vice president in the Catalonia government, is among the removed officials who have been in a Madrid prison since Thursday.

UCJ, UNILORIN.