Prosecutor orders Catalan police to “confiscate” ballot boxes in the wake of one-million-strong rally
President Puigdemont says priority is guaranteeing security on October 1 rather than removing referendum material
The political storm continued the day after Catalonia’s National Day million-strong pro-independence demonstration. Catalonia’s prosecution office, a branch of the Spanish one, ordered the Catalan police chief, Josep Lluís Trapero, to confiscate ballot boxes and other material in order to prevent the referendum. The prosecutor met Trapero along with Spanish police and Guardia Civil chiefs to give them instructions on how to stop the vote.
The Catalan police is in the eye of the storm but the Catalan president, Carles Puigdemont, believes that the police will not take action against the vote. “Between removing ballot boxes and guaranteeing public safety, there are priorities in this life,” said Puigdemont, responding to questions about what the Catalan police might do on October 1. Trapero received a letter from the Spanish Constitutional Court a few days ago warning him that taking any step towards aiding the vote might result in criminal charges.
Referendum to go ahead even if cabinet barred from office, says VP
Puigdemont reiterated his offer of talks with the Spanish government saying, “there is time for dialogue until the last moment.” However, the state executive’s delegate in Catalonia, Enric Millo, replied that sitting at the same table is impossible unless Puigdemont gives up his plans to hold the referendum. Yet, Catalan vice president, Oriol Junqueras, insisted once again that even if the whole cabinet is barred from office, the vote will still go ahead.