Former Catalan president pays €2.2m for organizing non-binding vote in 2014

Former Catalan president Artur Mas on Monday paid €2.2 million of a €5.2 million fine, which was imposed by Spain’s Court of Auditors for holding a symbolic independence vote on November 9, 2014. Mas also asked the court for an extension in order to be able to pay the full amount.

On September 25, the Court of Auditors gave Mas and his former ministers Francesc Homs, Irene Rigau and Joana Ortega 15 days to deposit the money. Otherwise, they risked having their personal assets frozen. As Mas is considered to be ultimately responsible, he is liable for paying the entire fine if the others fail to pay their share.

Mas had already been barred from holding public office for a two-year period. The Catalan high court found the officials guilty of disobeying the Constitutional Court by holding the nonbinding vote on independence.

In order to help Catalan officials pay the fines, the two main pro-independence civic organizations created a solidarity fund and asked the public to donate to it.