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Catalan separatists light mountain to mark anniversary of independence referendum

Tuesday, 01 October 2019 1:09 AM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 01 October 2019 1:14 AM ]

Catalan regional president Quim Torra (R) speaks with other people as he attends the "Llum i Llibertat" (Light and Freedom) pro-independence event in Olesa de Montserrat on September 30, 2019. (Photo by AFP)

Catalonia's regional leader on Monday (September 30) addressed separatist supporters on the eve of the second anniversary of the October 1st referendum on independence with the mountain of Montserrat as a backdrop shining 131 lights from its jagged peaks, representing the region's different presidents.

Under the slogan "light and freedom," Quim Torra declared October 1 the founding date of the "unstoppable path to a Catalan republic."

On October 1, 2017, Catalonia's regional government led by Carles Puigdemont held a referendum deemed unconstitutional by Spain's courts and subsequently declared the region independent.

The Spanish government responded by using Article 155 of the constitution to sack Puigdemont government and call snap elections in the northeastern region.

The anniversary comes as 12 separatist leaders charged for rebellion, sedition and misuse of public funds are expected to be handed their sentences in the first half of October. Seven separatist activists were also arrested in September.

(Source: Reuters)

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Catalan President Artur Mas