Spain's state prosecutor called for the prosecution of the leaders of Catalonia on charges of rebellion, sedition and embezzlement, amid rising tensions over the campaign for Catalan independence, Reuters reported. Catalan leaders could face up to 30 years in prison if convicted.
Attorney General Jose Manuel Maza called for the charges to be brought against the leaders of the Catalan independence movement Monday, including Catalan President Carles Puigdemont, his deputy Oriol Junqueras, and members of the the Catalan government and parliament, including Parliament Speaker Carme Forcadell.
Last month, Catalonia held a referendum on independence from Spain. The Spanish government declared the referendum illegal and cracked down on participating voters. Over 800 people were wounded in clashes with police on the day of the referendum.
Catalonia declared independence on Friday. In response, the Spanish government fired Catalonia’s regional government, dissolved the Catalan parliament and called a snap election in the region for December 21. Spain imposed direct rule over the region, stripping the region of its autonomy.
Maza called on Puigdemont and the other defendants to appear in court to testify during their trial.