Spanish prosecutor brings charges against Catalan leaders

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Spanish Attorney General Jose Manuel Maza on Monday announced charges including rebellion against the Catalan leaders behind Friday's declaration of independence.

Under Spain's legal system, the request will go to a judge for consideration, with Maza asking the judge to call the secessionist leaders to testify.

The control of Catalonia has now been handed to Spain's deputy prime minister after Madrid imposed direct rule on the region following the independence declaration.

People wave Catalan separatist flags during a demonstration in Barcelona, Spain, October 21, 2017. /Reuters Photo

According to Reuters, Catalonia’s parliament has canceled a meeting on Tuesday following the Spanish government’s takeover of the region, a parliamentary source said on Monday, confirming the regional council had accepted Madrid’s order for it to dissolve.

On Friday, Spain fired the Catalan regional government and dismissed the parliament after political leaders defied Madrid and made a unilateral declaration of independence.

The central government’s authority in the region was to be tested on Monday after prominent members of the Catalan administration had said they did not accept the move and a civic group called for civil disobedience to the ruling.

Catalan pro-independence party Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC) spokesperson Sergi Sabria speaks in Barcelona, Spain, October 30, 2017. /Reuters Photo‍

Catalan pro-independence party Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC) will take part in a snap regional election December 21, it said Monday, in an admission that the previous ruling party in Catalonia had been fired and parliament dissolved.

Lawmaker Sergi Sabria said during a press conference that taking part in the December 21 election is an opportunity to better consolidate the Republic.

"However, we’re not afraid of the ballot box," he added.