Two Catalan separatist leaders jailed pending trial in Spain over their role in last year's failed independence bid have begun a hunger strike, their lawyer said. Jordi Sanchez, the former head of the influential grassroots ANC independence movement, and Jordi Turull, a former minister in the Catalan regional government, are taking this step to "raise awareness" of their unfair treatment by Spain's justice system, lawyer Jordi Pina told journalists in Barcelona on Saturday. After Catalonia declared independence from Spain last year, Madrid took direct control of the region and brought charges against Catalan leaders - including misuse of public funds and rebellion - nine of whom are in jail awaiting trial.