Prosecutor announces legal action against Puigdemont
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E-mail Xinhua, October 31, 2017
Spanish State Prosecutor Jose Manuel Maza on Monday announced that former Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont and the members of his government who were responsible for last Friday's declaration of independence will be investigated for a series of crimes including rebellion, sedition and the misappropriation of public funds.
Puigdemont and his government were sacked on Friday by Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy following the approval of Article 155 of the Spanish Constitution, which suspended the autonomy of the Catalan region and handed control of key institutions to Madrid pending new elections on Dec. 21.
The former leader and his deputy Oriol Junqueras will be investigated by the Spanish High Court, while other former members of Puigdemont's government face action in the Spanish Supreme Court.
The prosecutor named a total of 20 people in his accusation, but didn't say whether any of them could be remanded in custody while the investigations proceed, limiting himself to commenting that any decision would be made during their court appearances and according to "the seriousness of the deeds" under investigation.
Former Catalan Economy Minister Santi Vila is among those under investigation, despite resigning from the government a day before the independence vote. Former speaker of the Catalan assembly, Carme Forcadell, is also being investigated.
According to Spanish law, the crime of rebellion is for those who rise "violently and publicly" in order to "repeal, suspend or modify the (Spanish) constitution partly or in full" or "declare the independence of part of national territory."
It carried a possible prison term of between 15 to 25 years and was last used in Spain against those involved in the attempted military coup in February 1981.
The crime of sedition carried a possible maximum prison term of 15 years.
Puigdemont is reported to be in Brussels on Monday.
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