Lluís Companys, a prominent Catalan politician and president of Catalonia, was executed in 1940 by the government of Francisco Franco. Captured in France, he was extradited and subjected to a secret trial. The Franco regime, keen on suppressing any resistance and dissent, accused Companys of rebellion and betrayal, leveraging the political turmoil that followed the Spanish Civil War.

Companys had been a key figure advocating for Catalan autonomy and rights, gaining prominence during the Second Spanish Republic. His policies and leadership were significant during a period marked by intense political conflict in Spain. Following the defeat of the Republicans in the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), many politicians like Companys fled the country to escape the fascist regime. Despite being in exile, he remained a symbol of resistance for Catalans.

His trial and execution were emblematic of Franco's oppressive government, which sought to eliminate any challenge to its authority. The brutal methods employed by the regime aimed to instill fear among those who supported Catalan nationalism. Companys's death not only silenced a key leader but also struck a blow to the movement for Catalan independence, stifling aspirations for self-determination for years to come.