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Spain has jailed nine Catalan separatist politicians over a failed 2017 declaration of independence for Catalonia.

The country's supreme court on Monday sentenced the leaders to between nine and thirteen years in prison after finding them guilty of "sedition", The Independent reports.

Three other politicians were found guilty only of "disobedience" and not sentenced to prison.

The longest prison sentence went to former Catalan deputy leader Oriol Junqueras, who was given 13 years. Four of the politicians were also convicted of misuse of public funds.

Supporters of independence have previously pledged to launch a campaign of civil disobedience and protest if any of the leaders were found guilty.

Reacting to the sentences, the high-profile former head of Catalonia's regional government Carles Puigdemont said that the decision was an "atrocity".

"It is time to react," he said. "for the future of our sons and daughters. For democracy. For Europe. For Catalonia."

Mr Puigdemont was not covered by the trail because he fled the country, and now lives in self-imposed exile in Belgium.

Spanish authorities have deployed hundreds of extra police to the breakaway region in anticipation of the verdict, local media reports.

Protests have so far been peaceful, though police chiefs have said they are prepared for the possibility of disorder.