Catalan News

Ousted Catalan president Carles Puigdemont was weighing up whether to return to the region, where he faces arrest, close aides said Saturday, after pro-independence parties defeated Spain`s central government in pivotal elections.

Catalonia`s sacked vice president and three other separatist leaders will remain in prison pending a probe over their role in the region`s independence drive, a Supreme Court judge decided Monday.

The sacked Vice President of the Catalan regional government and six former members of the separatist Cabinet who have been detained on sedition and rebellion allegations following the region`s unilateral independence declaration were on Friday due to file a petition for their release in the apex court.

Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy on Tuesday said he hopes to defeat separatists in next month's Catalan election, which will be dominated by regional lawmakers' independence drive, calling for a "massive" turnout by voters.

Spanish prosecutors want to charge Puigdemont, holed up in Belgium, with rebellion, sedition and misuse of public funds.

Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont rejected the opportunity on Wednesday to speak at the Spanish Senate on Thursday to present his case over the application of Article 155 of the Spanish Constitution.

The President of Spain`s Catalonia region said on Saturday he would convene a session of the regional Parliament to debate and decide a proper response to the measures announced earlier in the day by Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy.

A Catalan parliamentary session that could see regional president Carles Puigdemont declare independence opened on Tuesday, under intense scrutiny from the rest of Spain and Europe.

Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont has put off until Tuesday an appearance in the regional parliament at which some leaders have called for an independence declaration, a spokesman said Friday.

The Spanish government considers the referendum unconstitutional and had ordered the police to seal public facilities to prevent voting.

As the vote officially opened, scenes of chaos erupted as police began moving in to prevent people from casting their ballots, forcing their way into one sports centre in the town of Girona where the region's separatist leader was due to vote.

Spanish champions Barcelona said they have been fined 150,000 euros by UEFA after separatist flags were flown in the Camp Nou during Champions League games last season.

 Spanish champions Barcelona said Friday they have been fined 150,000 euros ($170,000) by UEFA after separatist flags were flown in the Camp Nou during Champions League games last season.

Spanish Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy said on Wednesday he would hold meetings with opposition leaders, Pedro Sanchez (Spanish Socialist Workers Party) and Albert Rivera (Citizens) to coordinate a united response to the threat of a unilateral declaration of independence from the Catalan region.

Catalan separatists dealt a bitter blow to Spain`s government by winning control of their regional parliament, sparking uncertainty and political manoeuvring Monday, three months ahead of a general election.

 US President Barack Obama on Tuesday told Spain`s king he wants to see the country "strong and unified," amid a strong independence drive in Catalonia.

Catalan separatists hold a mass rally Friday for independence that will kick off campaigning for a regional election billed as a de facto referendum on breaking away from Spain.