Gabriel was among the Catalonian politicians who organised an independence referendum for the region last October.
Keystone
Anna Gabriel, a leading figure in the Catalonian separatist movement, is reportedly preparing her legal case with a Swiss lawyer specialising in international law.
Gabriel currently resides in the Swiss city of Geneva, according to a report in the the Tages-Anzeiger newspaper, and has to appear in court in Spain later this week.
She is among the Catalan politicians who were called to appear in the Supreme Court in Madrid this Wednesday to give evidence. She and other members of the former left-wing alliance, Candidatura d’Unitat Popular (CUP), could face criminal charges of sedition and rebellion after organising an independence referendum for Catalonia in violation of the Spanish constitution last October.
Gabriel’s lawyer Olivier Peter confirmed his client is currently in Geneva but declined to comment further on the case.
Gabriel could apply for asylum in Switzerland. Alternatively, Spain could request her extradition as part of the Schengen agreement with Switzerland. Peter is an expert in both political asylum and extradition cases. He previously represented the Basque Nekane Txapartegi and achieved her release from a Zurich prison last year.
According to the Tages-Anzeiger, Gabriel did not say whether she will return to Spain for the trial on Wednesday and announced that she would give a statement to that effect on Tuesday.
More
More
Switzerland ready to help mediate in Catalonia
This content was published on
The Swiss foreign ministry is ready to set up a platform for dialogue between the Spanish Government and the Catalan authorities, according to the Swiss public television RTS. The ministry confirmed to RTS that the Swiss authorities are “in contact with both parties”. In principle, it said, it examines all arbitration requests and reacts positively…
Media: Swiss medical services done abroad are billed at Swiss rates
This content was published on
In Switzerland, some medical services carried out abroad are still billed at Swiss rates, despite costing less, RTS reports.
This content was published on
Sophie Hediger, a member of the Swiss national snowboard cross team, has died in an avalanche in Arosa. She was 26 years old.
This content was published on
Several Swiss films exceeded the 100,000 admissions mark worldwide in 2024 and received widespread praise at international film festivals.
Swiss Alpine resorts covered in white gold for Christmas
This content was published on
Many areas at low altitudes in Switzerland are enjoying a blanket of snow. In the mountains, intense precipitation has delighted skiers.
SWISS makes emergency landing in Austria after smoke in cockpit
This content was published on
Swiss International Airlines (SWISS) made an emergency landing of an Airbus in Graz, Austria on Monday evening after engine problems.
L’Oréal acquires South Korean subsidiary of Migros’ cosmetics brand
This content was published on
French cosmetics firm L'Oréal is acquiring Gowoonsesang Cosmetics, the South Korean subsidiary of the Migros-owned Mibelle group, for an undisclosed sum.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Of bludgeons and ballots: Swiss media react to Catalan vote
This content was published on
After a dramatic day in Catalonia, almost all Swiss newspapers on Monday carried front-page stories about the contentious vote.
This content was published on
Political scientist Daniel Warner questions Switzerland’s brand of direct democracy if the people don’t elect the country’s seven-member cabinet.
This content was published on
To understand the ‘Catalan question’ it is important to bear in mind that until recently Catalonian society was roughly split into three parts. One-third was formed by the communion of the rural population and the urban middle and upper classes who feel that Catalonia is a stand-alone nation due to its own language and culture,…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.