This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-41802900
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Catalan independence: Spain's top prosecutor calls for rebellion case | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Spain's chief prosecutor has called for charges including rebellion to be laid against Catalan leaders following the region's declaration of independence. | Spain's chief prosecutor has called for charges including rebellion to be laid against Catalan leaders following the region's declaration of independence. |
José Manuel Maza said the charges should also include sedition and provocation by regional officials. | José Manuel Maza said the charges should also include sedition and provocation by regional officials. |
It comes as Spain acts to take direct control of Catalonia, replacing senior officials. | |
Meanwhile, former Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont is reported to be in the Belgian capital, Brussels. | |
Mr Puigdemont, who was removed from office on Friday after the regional parliament declared independence, is with other dismissed Catalan ministers and will meet Flemish politicians, Spanish media report. | |
Speaking at a press conference earlier, Mr Maza, the attorney-general, also called for Catalonia's leaders to be charged with misuse of funds for holding an independence referendum in early October despite the vote being declared illegal by the constitutional court. | |
The charge of rebellion carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. Under the Spanish legal system, the request will be considered by a judge. | |
Work appeared to resume without major disruption in Catalonia on Monday despite some Catalan officials defying instructions from Madrid not to turn up for work. | |
Any ministers who arrived at their offices were given hours to leave under threat of "action" by Catalonia's regional police force, Mossos. | Any ministers who arrived at their offices were given hours to leave under threat of "action" by Catalonia's regional police force, Mossos. |
Madrid's temporary move to impose direct control by invoking Article 155 of the constitution - a first for Spain - will see as many as 150 of the region's top officials replaced. | |
Mr Puigdemont and his vice-president Oriol Junqueras reject the central's government's moves, arguing that they can only be removed from office by the citizens of Catalonia. | |
Madrid has urged the Spanish constitutional court to revoke Catalonia's unilateral vote for independence and has called for fresh regional elections on 21 December. | |
Mr Puigdemont could run in new elections, according to Spain's Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis, but only if the sacked Catalan leader has not been jailed. |