Catalonia – no longer Spain’s internal affair

Book excerpt: A view from abroad to the internationalization of the Catalan crisis. Exiled President of Catalonia Carles Puigdemont was arrested in Germany in March 2018 on his way back from Finland. That marked a turning point in the internationalization of the Catalan crisis. German court refused his extradition to Spain arguing he had not committed rebellion. Meanwhile part of the legitimate Government of Catalonia as well as civil society leaders have been in an unjust pre-trial detention for over 1,5 years. Trial against Catalan political prisoners is coming to an end in the summer of 2019. Sentences are expected to be harsh further escalating the political conflict between Spain and Catalonia. Janne Riitakorpi, co-organizer of President Puigdemont’s visit to Finland, analyses in his book the recent years of the Catalan independence movement from an international perspective. Book contains background to Europe's strongest secessionist movement, detailed analysis of international reactions witnessed during the tense autumn of 2017 as well as author’s personal experiences from the heart of the Catalan struggle. Riitakorpi lived in Barcelona in 2017 and worked for the Public Diplomacy Council of Catalonia during the 1 October referendum and 27 October declaration of independence. He is also Secretary of the Foreign Friends of Catalonia as well as the Executive Director of the Finland-Catalonia Friendship Association. Foreword by the 130th President of Catalonia Carles Puigdemont.