The Spanish Supreme Court sentenced 9-13 years in prison to 9 former Catalonia government members for secession at the end of 2017.

Former Catalonia Deputy Premier Oriol Junqueras received a maximum sentence of 13 years in prison for inciting rebellion and misusing public funds, while the rest were sentenced to 9-12 years in prison. This sentence is lower than the prosecutor's proposal, which said that former deputy premier Junqueras was jailed for up to 25 years.

The court also issued an arrest warrant for all of Europe with former Catalonian premier Carles Puigdemont, the leader of the separatist movement and living in exile in Belgium.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said the ruling ended the independence movement in Catalonia, which caused the most serious political crisis in the country in 40 years.

Many people in the city of Barcelona poured down protests, blocked highways and sought to blockade the city's airport to protest the decision of the Spanish Supreme Court. Experts warn Catalonia region could continue to fall into instability in the future.

Catalonia in October 2017 solicited a referendum on Spain, which was considered unconstitutional by Madrid. After the Catalonia parliament passed a resolution declaring independence, the Spanish central government dispersed the administration of the former Premier Puigdemont, suspending Catalonia's autonomy to hold regional elections.