The wealthy region threatened to break away following a referendum in Oct. 1 that Spain’s Constitutional Court said was illegal. Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont made a symbolic declaration of independence last Tuesday, but suspended it seconds later and called for negotiations with Madrid on the region’s future. Justice Minister Rafael Catala said on Monday the answer that Puigdemont had given in a letter to Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy was not valid. REUTERS/Gonzalo FuentesIn his letter, Puigdemont did not directly answer the independence question. The heads of civic groups Asamblea Nacional Catalana and Omnium will also testify over their role in organizing those protests.

Source: bd News24 October 16, 2017 08:37 UTC