President referred to Spanish public prosecutor over yellow ribbons

Electoral Authority has also asked Catalan police to remove banners and symbols backing jailed and exiled leaders

Torra had installed a toned-down symbol in front of the Catalan government building on Thursday morning
Torra had installed a toned-down symbol in front of the Catalan government building on Thursday morning / Daniel Wittenberg

Daniel Wittenberg | Barcelona

March 21, 2019 07:34 PM

Catalan President Quim Torra will be investigated by the Spanish public prosecutor for possible crimes of disobedience over his refusal to remove "partisan" symbols from government buildings under his charge, the Catalan News Agency (ACN) has learned.

The intervention came after Torra defied two orders to withdraw yellow ribbons – symbolizing calls for the release of Catalan independence leaders from preventative prison or political exile – as well as unofficial flags expressing support for a Catalan republic.

The Spanish Electoral Authority described these as "ideological or partisan symbols" which should not appear on government buildings during an electoral period, with a Spanish general election set for April 28, followed by European and local elections in May.

But Torra has argued the ribbons and flags could not be associated with any specific political group and deferred the decision to the Catalan regional ombudsman.

After the ombudsman ruled against the Catalan president on Wednesday evening, yellow ribbons on institutional sites – most notably the Catalan government headquarters in Barcelona – have been replaced with banners depicting white ribbons instead.

The Spanish Electoral Authority made the ruling on Thursday afternoon after a meeting said to have lasted more than two hours. They have also requested that Catalan police take down the new symbols, and gave an ultimatum for the Home Affairs Minister of until Friday at 3pm to have the law enforcement do so. 

The officials have opened a case file on the incident, which could lead to Torra receiving a fine of up to 3,000 euros.