Government still seeking guarantor to face €5.4m fine imposed on former officials

The Catalan government said on Tuesday it is still seeking a financial guarantor to help former officials face a €5.4m fine imposed by Spain’s Court of Auditors for promoting the independence bid internationally.

With only a few hours to go before a 15-day deadline expires on Wednesday, 34 former officials, including ex-presidents Carles Puigdemont and Artur Mas, risk having their assets seized to pay for the multi-million euro fine.

In response to the ruling, the Catalan government, which remains under control of pro-independence parties, announced it would set up a risk fund of €10 million to cover fines such as those handed out by the Court of Auditors.

However, no bank has so far accepted acting as a financial guarantor of the fund, as confirmed by Finance minister Jaume Giró.