A protest in Barcelona on October 1, 2017 (VNA) |
Jordi Sanchez of the Catalan National Assembly and Jordi Cuixart of Omnium Cultural have been accused of leading a massive protest in Barcelona on October 1 as Spanish police raided offices in a crackdown on referendum preparations. The head of the Catalan police has also been accused of sedition for allegedly failing to carry out government orders to prevent the referendum. He was ultimately released but if convicted, the three could carry sentences of up to 15 years in prison.
Catalan spokesman Jordi Turull said Spain’s government is playing at provocation. The Catalan National Assembly and Omnium Cultural called for protests across the region with a strike on Tuesday.