"We acted in accordance with Catalan parliament's mandate, within the bounds of law safeguarding civil participation, the freedom of expression and of ideology," Homs told the 24 Horas television channel after testifying in court and refusing to plead guilty.
Homs, who is now a member of the Spanish parliament from the pro-independence Catalan Democratic Party, called the case politically motivated and aimed at obstructing Catalonia's independence.
"The courts have delved into politics," he added, stressing that the process lacks legitimacy and expressing certainty that it will end in a guilty verdict.
Earlier in September, Catalonia's Supreme Court resumed proceedings against former regional president Artur Mas, as well as former Vice-President Joana Ortega and former Education Minister Irene Rigau on similar charges.
Catalonia, a Spanish province with an autonomous status, has long sought independence from Spain, but Madrid has repeatedly declined Catalonia’s quest for independence.
On November 9, 2014, about 80 percent of the Catalans who took part in a non-binding referendum on the region's status as part of Spain voted in favor of Catalonia becoming a state.
