Quim Torra, the leader of Catalonia’s government, has been sentenced to a 18-month ban on holding public office, Reuters reported. The politician was found guilty of disobedience, according to the region’s highest court’s verdict.
Quim Torra who took the office of Catalonia’s regional government in May 2018, has repeatedly clashed with Madrid. He was the pro-active person who called for a vote on self-determination for the region. Now, he continues to do so as protests over the jailing of nine independence leaders were staged in Barcelona.
In 2019, Torra’s refusal to follow orders from Spain’s electoral committee meaning the ban on holding office, if upheld, could take months to come into force.
However, the sentence is open to appeal at Spain’s Supreme Court, meaning the ban, if upheld, could take months to come into force. Torra’s office had no immediate comment on the ruling.
In fact, the ban handed to separatist Torra by the Barcelona court could prompt snap elections in the wealthy northeastern region Catalonia. Its separatism movement, which urges for independence from Spain has cleaved society. Technically, Quim Torra’s term as a Catalonian leader is set to end in 2021.
As Reuters reported on Tuesday, the Spanish court also imposed a fine on Mr Torra of around 30,000 euros.
