Spain’s pursuit of promoters of the 2014 independence vote intensifies in key moments

Spain’s pursuit of Catalan officials for organizing the 2014 unofficial independence vote intensifies through an economic aspect. Madrid’s reaction did not end with the former Catalan president being barred from office earlier this year. Its Court of Auditors asked its main three promoters to pay around €5 million, the estimated overall cost of the vote, as bail. On Tuesday it expanded the pursuit to eleven people and shortened the deadline to pay the amount. The Court of Auditors has set September 25 as the date for the 11 officials and former officials to pay the 5-million bail.

The institution’s decision came less than 24 hours before the Catalan Parliament is set to pass the referendum law, which is believed to be the first step of an ultimate clash of wills between Barcelona and Madrid. The vote is planned for October 1.