St Andrews protest in support of Catalan academic facing extradition

Students are to stage demonstrations in support of St Andrews University academic Clara Ponsatí.

Professor Ponsatí faces charges of rebellion for her role in the Catalan referendum and handed herself in to police on Wednesday after a warrant for her arrest was issued by a Spanish judge.

The ex-Catalan education minister is to challenge attempts to extradite her to face the charges which her lawyer Aamer Anwar claimed could see her jailed for up to 30 years.

A crowd funder to support her legal campaign raised £40,000 in less than two hours.

Following a rally in Edinburgh on Monday, students will gather outside the student association building in St Andrews on Wednesday at 5pm.

A statement issued by the student campaign group set up to support the academic said: “We believe that the crimes Professor Ponsatí has been accused of are politically motivated.

“Should she be extradited she is likely to suffer inhumane treatment, whilst the independence of the judiciary in Spain cannot be guaranteed.

“Under these grounds the British judiciary is legally and rightly able to reject the warrant for her arrest.

“This case is but the latest in a long line of attacks on democracy and human rights which the Spanish government has perpetrated against the Catalan people.

“Rejecting this warrant would demonstrate that the British state is committed to upholding the values of democracy, human rights, and self-determination.

“We urge everyone, including our university, to stand up for Professor Ponsatí as she fights this case and we will do what we can to support our Professor.”

Thanku so much from @ClaraPonsati – ‘Defiant, Resolute & Determined to Fight Back’ on way 2Edinburgh -Clara will b arrested in next hour & taken 2court 4extradition hearing at 2pm #DefendClara #Catalonia please keep sharing https://t.co/Lwi2rGLweG pic.twitter.com/XcMx6R8j5K

— Aamer Anwar?? (@AamerAnwar) March 28, 2018

Prof Ponsatí returned to Scotland earlier in March, after having fled to Belgium with Catalonia’s former leader Carles Puigdemont and other former cabinet members after the failed bid to declare independence from Spain in October.

She had returned to work at St Andrews University’s School of Economics and Finance, of which she was previously head.

A Spanish judged issued warrants last Friday for Prof Ponsatí and the other politicians, including Mr Puigdemont who was detained by police in Germany.

Students plan a second demonstration next Monday at 7pm.