Catalan government officials testify about their role in convening referendum

Thousands of people came together this afternoon in front of city halls in cities and towns across Catalonia to express their support for Artur Mas, the president of Catalonia, Irene Rigau, acting minister of education, and Joana Ortega, former vice president of Catalonia.

The three politicians were indicted last year by the Spanish attorney general following a complaint filed by the Spanish nationalist groups Unión, Progreso y Democracia (UpyD) and Manos Limpias, for their part in organizing an unofficial referendum on Catalonia’s independence from Spain, which took place on 9 November last. The three are charged with disobedience, perverting the course of justice, misuse of public funds, and abuse of power.

Rigau and Ortega testified today before the High Court of Catalonia. Mas is expected to testify this coming Thursday.

In Barcelona, mayor Ada Colau, flanked by the leaders of the two main unions, Juan Carlos Gallego of CC.OO, and Josep Maria Alvarez of UGT, read a manifesto expressing support for the Catalan government officials.

Rigau and Ortega, the first to testify
Rigau and Ortega were expected to answer questions from the judge, the prosecutors and the private allegations. They arrived in court accompanied by a large entourage of fellow politicians and a broad representation of government officials. Also on hand were leaders from other parties, including Antonio Baños (CUP), Anton Maria Espadaler (Unió), and Lluís Rabell (Catalunya Sí que es Pot). There were no representatives from the PSC, PP, or Ciudadanos present.

Hundreds of people waited before the courthouse and, when Minister Rigau arrived, intoned ‘Els Segadors’, Catalonia’s national anthem.

Rigau defended the so-called 9-N poll, stating that ‘a democratic society should be allowed to hear the views of its citizens; I saw nothing inappropriate in it’. She has denied that the Department of Education instructed high school principals regarding the organization of the vote.

Ortega, for her part, said that she acted ‘in fulfilment of a mandate issued by the parliament of Catalonia, my parliament’. In her statement before the judge, she was very clear: ‘I take full responsibility for organizing the participatory process of 9 November, as regards both my personal actions and my actions as a subordinate’. Ortega also defended the referendum as a national project and a commitment on the part of the government: ‘The goal was to fulfill the Catalan people’s will to speak freely regarding their political future’.