Catalan leader takes full responsibility for breakaway vote

AFP, BARCELONA: Catalonia leader Artur Mas said Thursday he took full responsibility for a ballot on independence for his region from Spain, after a judge questioned him on charges over the vote. “I declare myself to have full responsibility for taking the political initiative” to hold the non-binding vote in defiance of the Spanish authorities, he told a news conference. He earlier went before a judge charged with civil disobedience and misuse of public funds for staging the vote on in November 9, 2014.
Thousands of cheering separatists rallied outside the court in his support during his hearing on Thursday morning. Mas’s allies have branded the case against him politically motivated and accuse Spanish authorities of going after him to disrupt his drive for the rich northeastern region to secede. The Catalan independence movement has raised political tensions in Spain as it recovers from several years of recession and prepares for a general election on December 20.
The Spanish government says holding an independence vote is against the constitution since all Spanish people have the right to decide on matters of sovereignty. “I am responsible for having listened to hundreds of thousands of people who peacefully filled the streets and squares of Catalonia” in demonstrations for independence over recent years, Mas said.

Catalan leader takes full responsibility for breakaway vote

AFP, BARCELONA: Catalonia leader Artur Mas said Thursday he took full responsibility for a ballot on independence for his region from Spain, after a judge questioned him on charges over the vote. I declare myself to have full responsibility for taking the political initiative to hold the non-binding vote in defiance of the Spanish authorities, he told a news conference. He earlier went before a judge charged with civil disobedience and misuse of public funds for staging the vote on in November 9, 2014. Thousands of cheering separatists rallied outside the court in his support during his hearing on Thursday morning. Mass allies have branded the case against him politically motivated and accuse Spanish authorities of going after him to disrupt his drive for the rich northeastern region to secede. The Catalan independence movement has raised political tensions in Spain as it recovers from several years of recession and prepares for a general election on December 20. The Spanish government says holding an independence vote is against the constitution since all Spanish people have the right to decide on matters of sovereignty. I am responsible for having listened to hundreds of thousands of people who peacefully filled the streets and squares of Catalonia in demonstrations for independence over recent years, Mas said.