Jailed Catalan separatist leader admits errors, opens way for easing of tensions

FILE PHOTO: Catalan separatist leader Oriol Junqueras reacts while delivering a speech during a Catalan Left Republican party (ERC) meeting, as the political campaign for the February 14th election begins, in Badalona, near Barcelona, Spain, January 29, 2021. REUTERS/Nacho Doce

BARCELONA (Reuters) - The most prominent of Catalonia's jailed separatist leaders on Monday said his camp had made mistakes and needed to adapt its strategy, a move that could help the Spanish government's efforts to ease tensions over the region.

Oriol Junqueras is in prison over his role in organising an unauthorised referendum in 2017 and for the short-lived declaration of independence that followed it.