Placards displayed messages of “freedom” and its Catalan equivalent “llibertat” while speeches talked of press freedom, democracy, freedom of expression and drew comparisons between Assange’s case and that of the jailed Catalan leaders.

US prosecutors want the the Wikileaks founder to face espionage charges, over major leaks of government secrets. The case is expected to continue this week before being adjourned until May 18.

Referendum supporter

Exiled president Carles Puigdemont was among those who tweeted his support for Assange, saying “without freedom of expression and freedom of press there is no democracy.”

President Quim Torra expressed his “solidarity and support” for Assange when the Australian was arrested in London in April 2019, having spent seven years seeking asylum in the Ecuadorian embassy there.

Assange was one of the international public figures who supported the 2017 independence referendum and condemned the violent conduct of Spanish police during the vote, and in fact Assange’s comments on the referendum were replayed to the crowd during Monday evening’s demonstration.

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