St Andrews University students held the first of two demonstrations tonight to protest attempts to extradite one of their professors, a pro-independence former Catalan minister sought by the Spanish government.
Professor Clara Ponsatí was made the subject of a European arrest warrant last week after being accused of “violent rebellion and misappropriation of public funds” in relation to her role in Catalonia’s independence referendum.
She denies the charges but handed herself in to a police station in Edinburgh this morning.
Professor Ponsatí was released on bail after appearing at an extradition hearing at the city’s sheriff court.
The protestors, who gathered outside the St Andrews University Student Association, said her extradition would be an “attack” on democracy.
One of the organisers, Stephanie Melnick, said: “This directly affects us. A lot of the students know this professor and we believe and hope that even though she has been arrested, she will not be extradited.”
Professor Ponsatí was minister of education in Catalonia when the Catalan parliament declared independence.
She fled Spain along with the region’s ex-leader Carles Puigdemont and three other cabinet members.
St Andrews University has said it is committed to protecting and supporting Prof Ponsatí.
A crowdfunding appeal launched yesterday to raise money for her defence had raised almost £200,000 by tonight.
