Former Catalonia regional government chief Artur Mas is facing a two-year ban from holding public office for going ahead with a vote on the region’s independence from Spain despite a ruling against it, a court in Barcelona ruled Monday. The judge also required him to pay a fine of 36,500 euros ($38,900) and disqualified from politics for 21 and 18 months respectively two of his aides, former regional vice president Joana Ortega and education councilor Irene Rigau. The three former officials will appeal the ban to the Supreme Court and are prepared to take the case to European courts, said Mas in remarks following the verdict adding that he doesn’t trust justice in the country.
“In Spain, the law is not the same for everybody. This is a lie, this is not true,” he said during a news conference in Barcelona, flanked by Ortega and Rigau.
“We have been condemned for defending ideas that are not liked,” Mas said, adding that the trio had no regrets and would do “exactly the same” once again.
The central government declined to comment, but told Spanish public broadcaster TVE that it respected the court’s decision.
Full Article: Court condemns former Catalan chief for vote on independence.