Live
Audio Only
Spain's National Audience has sentenced Catalan rapper Pablo Hasel to two years and one day in prison for glorifying terrorism, aggravated recidivism, and insults and slander against the Spanish monarchy and state institutions.
A fine of almost US$30,000 was also handed down to the performing artist, according to El Diario.
RELATED:
Catalan 'Anti-Monarchy' Rapper Hasel Faces 2.5 Years Jail
Judges released a statement saying the ruling was based on Hasel's lyrics and other statements "directed against the authority of the state" which allude "to the need to increase violent behavior, even resorting to the use of terrorism."
Comments such as "Protests are necessary, but not enough; we support those who have gone further" indicate a rejection of peaceful demonstrations and are framed by "violent performance," the judges wrote, condemning them as "an invitation to behave in a particular way... an exaltation to violence that overlaps in the form of an opinion."
The judges also recalled Hasel's previous trial, in which he did not clarify what he meant when he said he had to go "beyond."
The rapper insisted his Twitter posts are "examples of resistance" and that his messages are "always for those" denied their freedom of speech, and said he wouldn't change his testimony even if he were sentenced a second time.
Sentenced in 2015 to two years for glorifying terrorism, Hasel told the court: "Freedom of speech limits are always for the same: the anti-fascists. My mistake is not being a fascist that hopes to bomb Catalans or homosexuals.
"Let's see if I'm guilty, because the king is using public money for going hunting or using public money to silence his lovers, like Barbara Rey.
"If every media had to go to prison for saying this, there wouldn't be enough prisons."
Newsletter
