Gwynedd Council’s leader has condemned the Spanish Government for “an attack on democracy” following the jailing of nine Catalan separatist leaders.

The supreme court’s decision saw large crowds of pro-independence protesters clash with police at Barcelona’s El Prat international airport on Monday, with thousands also marching in the city centre, blocking some streets and access to metro stations.

The separatists had been convicted of sedition over their role in what was adjudged to be an illegal independence referendum in 2017, with all set to serve between nine and 13 years in prison.

Among these was Carme Forcadell, a former speaker of the Catalan parliament, who was sentenced to 11 and a half years.

Another three were found guilty of disobedience and fined.

But the leader of Gwynedd Council, which itself has formally backed the principle of Welsh independence from the United Kingdom, used Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting to condemn the actions of the Spanish Government.

Cllr Dyfrig Siencyn, during a statement to members in Caernarfon:”They have been jailed for being so bold as to seek a vote on the matter of independence.

“It is my and the cabinet’s view that this is a direct attack on democracy and a threat to democracy everywhere. It is our responsibility to make our voice known and to oppose such a transgression.”

He added, “As a cabinet we wholeheartedly back the people of Catalonia in their efforts to secure freedom and condemn the anti-democratic actions of the Spanish state.

“In the same manner we condemn our governments for their lack of action and the European Union for not showing more backbone, a body which is meant to defend democracy. It is disappointing and I would call on them to hold Spain to account.

“It is also right that we remember those in Kurdistan who are suffering oppression to a degree in which we couldn’t even imagine.”

But despite condemnation – which was also forthcoming from the Senedd’s Llywydd and First Minister this afternoon – Spain’s Prime Minister was adamant that the leaders were imprisoned for criminal conduct.

During First Minister’s Questions, Mark Drakeford said it was a “matter of concern” to see “democratically elected politicians who have gone peacefully about their responsibilities” being dealt with under the criminal law rather than “dialogue and discussion”.

A new arrest warrant has also been issued for former Catalan President Carles Puigdemont, who fled to Belgium in October 2017 to avoid prosecution.

According to Spanish prosecutors, Catalunya’s unilateral declaration of independence was “an attack on the Spanish state” and accused some of those involved of “a serious act of rebellion.”

They also said that separatist leaders, while organising the 2017 referendum, had misused public funds.