Spain threatens 712 Catalan mayors with arrest for independence poll
Jose Manuel Maza, ordered provincial prosecutors to investigate 712 mayors who have already offered municipal facilities for the October 1 vote and the regional Catalan police to arrest them if they do not show up to give evidence.
The Spanish prime minister continues to urge the people of Catalonia not to take part in the planned referendum on the region’s independence that he says is unconstitutional.
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Hide AdHowever, the pro-independence coalition ruling Catalonia has vowed to hold the vote despite the prohibition and has asked the 947 mayors in the northeastern region to provide facilities for the plebiscite.
Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy’s government were granted a suspension by the Constitutional Court while judges decide on the legality of the poll.
Mr Rajoy said today: “If anyone urges you to go to a polling station, don’t go, because the referendum can’t take place, it would be an absolutely illegal act.”
The economically powerful Catalonia has a thriving population of 7.5 million and accounts for a fifth of Spain’s economic output.
Spain argues that an independent Catalonia would be ejected from the European Union and left out from using the euro currency. European officials have cautiously supported Madrid’s stance in the conflict.