Thousands protest Spanish court probe of 2014 symbolic Catalan poll on

The investigation was opened after the Catalonian autonomous community government under Mr Mas went ahead with the referendum in November 2014, defying a ruling by Spain’s Constitutional Court.

“I assume full responsibility for “Participatory Day”, don’t search for anyone else”, he said.

The Catalan independence movement has raised political tensions in Spain as it recovers from several years of recession and prepares for general elections on December 20.

The pro-independence groups garnered 48 percent of the total vote against 52 percent for parties opposed to independence.

The regional head of the wealthy northeastern region, which has its own language and distinct culture, was indicted last month on preliminary charges of disobedience, abuse of authority and usurping authority for carrying out vote in November 2014.

If found guilty of disobedience, Mas, who is acting leader of the Catalan regional assembly in the wake of the September 27 regional elections, could be barred from public office.

Mas’s alliance had vowed to declare independence for Catalonia by 2017 if it won, but it must first reach an agreement with the CUP.

Catalonia, which consists of Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona, accounts for one-fifth of Spain’s economic output.

Spain’s central government in Madrid has pledged to challenge any unilateral moves towards independence in court, arguing it is against the constitution.

Artur Mas appeared in court today to contest court charges against him for staging a ballot on independence from Spain, in the latest skirmish of his secessionist battle with Madrid.

On his way to court, Mas joined thousands of his supporters to lay down flowers in commemoration of Companys.

Chants of “independence, independence” and “this court does not represent us” rang out as Mas stopped to salute the crowd on the steps of the building. Also in attendance were 400 mayors, including the mayor of Barcelona.

In a press conference in Brussels, Rajoy asserted that the Spanish justice system was independent and reminded Mas that “justice is what guarantees his rights and freedoms and that’s how he should see it”.