Spanish Cabinet partially pardons nine Catalan separatists

The pardons lifted the remaining years of their prison terms, while keeping intact their status as being unfit to hold public office.

Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sanchez (Emilio Morenatti/AP)

The Spanish Cabinet has issued pardons for nine imprisoned instigators of Catalonia’s 2017 secession bid in a move that Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez says is needed to bring reconciliation.

“The government has taken the decision because it is the best decision for Catalonia and the best decision for Spain,” Mr Sanchez said in a short, nationally televised appearance.