Court summons Catalan president over 2014 illegal independence vote

The Catalan President Artur Mas was summoned on the 29 September 2015 to appear before a judge on 15 October 2015 to face charges of civil disobedience for holding an illegal 'symbolic referendum' in November 2014.

This development took place just two days after a general election in Catalonia on the 27 September 2015 at which separatist parties had won control of the regional parliament.

Separately, the Spanish Senate approved on the 15 October 2015 the reform of the Spanish Constitutional Court (TC) Law, which will allow the Constitutional Court to fine and suspend from office those public servants, politicians and authorities who don’t comply with its rulings.

The Catalan High Court (TSJC) decided in October 2016 to prosecute Mr Mas and two members of his government for their role in organising the informal vote on independence for Catalonia in 2014.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Catalonian parliamentary election, 2015 http://www.europeansources.info/record/catalonian-parliamentary-election-2015/

ESO: Background information: Catalan self-determination referendum http://www.europeansources.info/record/catalan-self-determination-referendum/

El País, 29.09.15: Catalan premier called to court over 2014 informal independence vote http://elpais.com/elpais/2015/09/29/inenglish/1443522300_204984.html

CNA, 29.09.15: Catalonia’s Supreme Court (TSJC) summons President Mas for 9N symbolic vote on independence http://www.catalannewsagency.com/politics/item/catalonia-s-supreme-court-tsjc-summons-president-mas-for-9n-symbolic-vote-on-independence

The Local.es, 29.09.15: Catalan government slams 'political lawsuit' brought against Artur Mas http://www.thelocal.es/20150929/catalan-government-slams-political-lawsuit-brought-against-leader

Politico, 29.09.15: Court charges Catalan leader with disobedience http://www.politico.eu/article/court-charges-catalan-leader-with-disobedience-artur-mas-justice-spain-rajoy/

The Local.es, 13.10.15: Catalan politicians in court over staging 'illegal' independence vote http://www.thelocal.es/20151013/catalan-separatists-in-court-over-independence-vote

El País, 16.10.15: 'Mas thinks he’s the sole defender of democracy', says deputy PM http://elpais.com/elpais/2015/10/16/inenglish/1445003834_446525.html

El País, 15.10.15: Catalan chief assumes sole responsibility for 2014 self-rule vote http://elpais.com/elpais/2015/10/15/inenglish/1444908613_834452.html

CNA, 15.10.15: Mas before the Court: "I'm the only one responsible for the 9-N consultation" http://www.catalannewsagency.com/politics/item/mas-before-the-court-i-m-the-only-one-responsible-for-the-9-n-consultation

CNA, 16.10.15: Spanish Constitutional Court Law reformed to suspend those who don’t comply with its rulings http://www.catalannewsagency.com/politics/item/spanish-constitutional-court-law-reformed-to-suspend-those-who-don-t-comply-with-its-rulings

EUObserver, 16.10.15: Catalonia separatists on EU charm offensive https://euobserver.com/political/130721

CNA, 13.10.16: Mas, Ortega and Rigau won’t go to prison for 9-N symbolic vote http://www.catalannewsagency.com/politics/item/mas-ortega-and-rigau-won-t-go-to-prison-for-9-n-symbolic-vote

El País, 13.10.16: Catalan High Court to try former premier for role in independence vote http://elpais.com/elpais/2016/10/13/inenglish/1476357600_507245.html

The Local.es, 13.10.16: Ex-Catalan chief to stand trial for independence referendum https://www.thelocal.es/20161013/ex-catalan-chief-to-stand-trial-for-independence-vote

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