Spain: Thousands protest in Barcelona after first day of Catalan separatist trial

Former Catalan vice president Oriol Junqueras, former interior minister Joaquim Forn, and former president of the Catalan parliament Carme Forcadell are among a dozen figures facing charges for their part in the 2017 referendum and subsequent push for independence from Spain.

Nine of the defendants are charged with rebellion, while other charges include sedition and misuse of public funds. If convicted, the Catalan leaders on trial face up to 25 years in jail.