Rows of empty chairs with drawings of ousted Catalan regional government members including former Catalan President Carles Puigdemont are seen placed before a rally in Sant Julia de Ramis, Spain, Monday Oct. 1, 2018. “Let us not stray from the only possible way to live in a full democracy: the (Catalan) Republic and its international recognition,” Puigdemont said in a video message shared on social media. Puigdemont fled to Belgium days after an independence declaration was passed in the regional Catalan parliament in late October last year. A year ago, anti-riot police entered the school-turned-polling station, injuring hundreds in front of cameras broadcasting the incidents live. Puigdemont who ended up voting in another polling station, is now sought in Spain under preliminary charges of rebellion.

Source: Washington Post October 01, 2018 07:22 UTC