Spain's Supreme Court orders Catalan separatist leader Junqueras to remain jailed

[January 05, 2018]    MADRID (Reuters) - Spain's Supreme Court on Friday ordered that Catalan separatist leader Oriol Junqueras remain in custody after over two months in prison for his role in the Spanish region's independence movement.

Dismissed Catalan vice president Oriol Junqueras arrives to Spain's High Court after being summoned to testify on charges of rebellion, sedition and misuse of public funds for defying the central government by holding a referendum on secession and proclaiming independence, in Madrid, Spain, November 2, 2017. REUTERS/Javier Barbancho/File Photo

In a written ruling, the judges said there was a risk that Junqueras would again commit an offence if he was released as there was no evidence to show he had abandoned "the path followed so far".

He is in custody on allegations of rebellion, sedition and misuse of public funds.

The court's decision would prevent him from swearing in at the opening session of the new Catalan parliament on Jan. 17.

(Reporting By Jesús Aguado; editing by Angus Berwick)

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