Catalan leaders face sedition charges

By Alyssa McMurtry

MADRID

Spain’s attorney general Jose Manuel Maza announced on Monday he had officially lodged complaints in the Supreme Court and High Court against the Catalan leaders responsible for Friday’s declaration of independence.

They now face charges of rebellion, sedition and misappropriation of funds, which could lead to heavy prison sentences.

Many of the independence leaders, including former Catalan President Carles Puigdemont, have also been fired from their positions by Spain’s central government, which is now in control of the region.

And despite separatist leaders saying they do not accept Spanish rule of the region, Monday was the first working day in which their dismissal has taken effect, and only one of the fired politicians went to his office, but left shortly after, according to Spanish media reports.

According to Spanish law, Deputy Prime Minister Soraya Saenz de Santamaria is now the official leader of Catalonia.

However, while the separatist politicians have not been convicted of any charges, they will be able to run in the snap regional elections which Madrid has triggered for Dec. 21.