Sacked Catalan leaders summoned to court

International Desk: Sacked members of Catalonia's regional government have been ordered to appear in Spain's high court to face rebellion and sedition charges, after October's disputed independence referendum.

Madrid's court summoned 13 officials as well as former Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont, who has already said he will ignore the order.

"This is a political trial," said Mr Puigdemont, who is now in Belgium.

Prosecutors could order the officials' arrest if they fail to appear in court.

Spain has been gripped by a constitutional crisis since the referendum was held on 1 October in defiance of a constitutional court ruling that had declared it illegal.

Last week, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy imposed direct rule on Catalonia, dissolving the regional parliament and calling snap local elections.

This came after Catalan lawmakers voted to declare independence of the affluent north-eastern region.

The Catalan government said that of the 43% of potential voters who took part in the referendum, 90% were in favour of independence.
 

Source: Agencies

 

risingbd/Dhaka/November 2, 2017/A K Azad