The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) rejected on Monday the request by Oriol Junqueras, Jordi Turull and Jordi Sànchez for the Grand Chamber to review the November 2025 ruling upholding their pre-trial detention over the Catalan independence process. A panel of five judges denied the review, making the decision final and confirming no political motivations in their imprisonment. It rules that Spain did not violate their political rights or freedom of expression.
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), based in Strasbourg, ruled on Monday March 23, 2026, not to refer the case of independence leaders Oriol Junqueras, Jordi Turull, and Jordi Sànchez to the Grand Chamber. This decision by a panel of five judges makes final the November 2025 ruling by seven unanimous judges, which dismissed claims of violations of political rights and freedom of expression during their pre-trial detention following the 2017 Catalan process events. The applicants argued the detention, ordered by Supreme Court Judge Juan Pablo Llarena after September 20-21 protests and the October 1 referendum, prevented their participation in December 2017 regional elections and aimed to silence their political activity. The ECHR concluded 'legal and constitutional means existed for them to express their opinions' and limitations were 'proportional' given the gravity of crimes against constitutional order. It noted their parties could field candidates and nominate them for positions despite imprisonment, refuting hidden political motives. 'Not incompatible with the essence of their right to be elected,' the judges stated. Grand Chamber review requires a serious issue under the European Convention, unmet here per the panel.
