MADRID — Catalan separatist lawmakers dealt Spain’s government a blow Tuesday by voting against a hugely divisive amnesty law that was aimed at helping hundreds of their supporters who were involved in Catalonia’s unsuccessful 2017 independence bid. The most radical separatists, who want to ensure that their leader Carles Puigdemont, a fugitive in Belgium, can … Read more
LONDON — Ireland’s government said Wednesday it will take legal action against British authorities over a controversial law that gives some immunity from prosecution for offenses committed during three decades of sectarian violence. Irish Deputy Prime Minister Micheál Martin said that “after much thought and careful consideration,” his government is launching a legal challenge against … Read more
MADRID — Spain’s acting prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, is expected to be chosen by a majority of legislators to form a new government in a parliamentary vote Thursday. The vote comes at the end of nearly two days of debate among party leaders that centered almost entirely on a highly controversial amnesty deal for Catalonia’s … Read more
MADRID — Spain’s acting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez ’s chances of forming a new coalition minority government following an inconclusive election in July were greatly boosted this week after reaching an agreement with a tiny party he surely hoped he would never have to rely on. The deal is with Together for Catalunya, also known … Read more
Comment on this storyCommentAdd to your saved storiesSave Spain’s Socialist Party on Thursday struck a highly controversial deal to remain in power by offering an amnesty to separatists who staged a failed 2017 bid for Catalan independence in exchange for their political backing. The deal brings Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez — a photogenic 51-year-old who … Read more
BARCELONA, Spain — Barcelona accountant Oriol Calvo ran afoul of the law when he was arrested in 2019 during a mass protest by supporters of Catalonia’s independence from Spain that turned violent. A court found him guilty of public disorder and of aggressive behavior toward a police officer — offenses he denies. The 25-year-old is … Read more
HONG KONG — Hong Kong on Saturday criticized rights group Amnesty Worldwide’s accusation {that a} Uyghur scholar disappeared after being interrogated on the airport, and stated that authorities information confirmed that he had not entered or been refused entry to the town. Amnesty Worldwide stated Friday that Abuduwaili Abudureheman, who was born in Xinjiang in … Read more
HARARE, Zimbabwe — Zimbabwe has begun releasing greater than 4,000 prisoners underneath a presidential amnesty that authorities say will assist ease congestion in some overcrowded jails. About 800 prisoners have been launched Friday from the Central Jail and Chikurubi Most Jail within the capital, Harare. Jails in different elements of the nation started releasing prisoners … Read more