The Prosecutor General’s office of Spain began a crackdown on 700 mayors of cities in Catalonia
The Prosecutor General’s office of Spain opened 700 criminal cases against mayors and heads of municipalities of the Catalan cities because of the preparation for the referendum on independence. Reported by the Associated Press.
According to La Vanguardia, the attorney General of the Kingdom of Jose Manuel Maza sent a circular letter to the heads of the Supervisory authorities of the major Catalan cities of Barcelona, Gerona, Tarragona and Lleida.
Officials were ordered to begin the prosecution of governors who intend to facilitate voting. If they do not appear before the court voluntarily, they may be detained.
Earlier, on September 7 Maza said that his Department will investigate and stop any attempts of preparations for the plebiscite — the publication and distribution of promotional materials, flyers, and equipment areas.
A day earlier, the Parliament of Catalonia adopted the law on referendum, allowing 1 October to be held in the Autonomous region voting on independence. Earlier regional authorities have developed a document according to which on the region’s independence will be declared immediately in the event of failure of the Central government to allow a referendum on secession from Spain.
Catalonia — a region in the North-East of Spain, which seeks to secede from the Kingdom. The Parliament of Catalonia on 9 November 2014, voted for sovereignty. The Declaration, which was supported by the majority of parliamentarians, set the period of eighteen months, during which Catalonia should get independence.