Pro-independence supporters took to the streets in Barcelona on Saturday evening to protest the ongoing trial of Catalan leaders, which started on Tuesday.

We bring you our weekly round-up of the View opinion articles that have been driving debate across Europe and beyond over the last seven days.

Spanish democracy took root following turbulent times. It is this belief in freedom and the rule of law that ensures all Spanish citizens get a fair trial, including pro-independence leaders from Catalonia.

The self-exiled former Catalonia leader had some strong words for Brussels and Madrid.

Leaders of the 2017 Catalan independence referendum are facing a combined total of 217 years in prison for inciting rebellion. Defending their rights is in the self-interest of Europe if it wants to remain a leading force for democracy.

Spain’s trail of the century begins tomorrow, as 18 leading Catalan separatists will face prosecution for their role in Catalonia’s unilateral declaration of independence from Madrid.

The Spanish government says if Catalan regional authorities cannot prevent separatists closing major roads it will have to send in national police to end the protests

While many would agree that the Spanish Constitution has served its purpose in keeping a fragile democracy in tact, many more Spaniards would agree that the time has come to make changes to the 40-year-old document. Agreement on what these changes should be is a different matter altogether.

The Catalan independence movement is just one of the many obstacles facing a push to modernise the Spanish Constitution. In order to make sure it serves the needs of all Spaniards today, we have to solve our long-standing problems first.

Jailed leaders Jordi Sanchez and Jordi Turull played a part in Catalonia's failed bid for independence last year, and have gone on hunger strike to 'raise awareness' of unfair treatment by Spain ahead of the trial.

Spanish auditors have ordered former Catalan leader Artur Mas and nine others to repay €4.9 million of public money spent on a non-binding independence vote in 2014.