Catalonia crisis: Spain's prosecutors ask for eight leaders to be jailed

Prosecutors in Madrid have asked for eight sacked members of Catalonia's regional government to be jailed over their role in October's disputed independence referendum.

Nine Catalan officials testified at Spain's high court over accusations of rebellion, sedition and misuse of public funds.

Ousted Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont and four others disregarded a summons.

His lawyer said the climate was "not good" for him to appear in court.

Spain has been gripped by a constitutional crisis since the referendum was held on 1 October in defiance of a constitutional court ruling that had declared it illegal.

Last week, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy imposed direct rule on Catalonia, dissolving the regional parliament and calling snap local elections for 21 December.

Image copyrightAFP

Image captionMembers of the deposed Catalan regional government arrive at court in Madrid

The ninth, Catalonia's former Business Minister Santi Vila, should be granted a €50,000 ($58,000; £44,000) bail, prosecutors said. He resigned before the Catalan parliament voted for independence on Friday.

The Catalan leaders are yet to be formally charged. They were accused of rebellion - which carries a maximum 30-year jail term - as well as sedition and misuse of funds.