Spain's Court of Auditors seeks €3.1m from Catalan officials over independence push spending

Prosecutors at Spain's Court of Auditors have confirmed a claim for €3.1 million against some 30 former high-ranking Catalan government officials for expenses incurred during the 2017 independence push. 

Among those charged are former Catalan presidents Artur Mas and Carles Puigdemont, former vice president Oriol Junqueras, several former ministers and other government officials. 

The financial liability fine of €3.1 million, approximately €336,000 less than originally requested, relates to costs associated with the 2017 independence referendum, which was deemed illegal by Spain, as well as expenses incurred by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the time.

The defense requested the dismissal or annulment of the case, questioning the legitimacy of the proceedings and the methods used, citing their lack of defense. They also argued that the stature of limitations has expired, since the events occurred more than five years ago.

Pro-independence party Esquerra Republicana requested the suspension of the trial due to the expected approval of the amnesty law, which will likely benefit the majority of the accused. 

The law, which is currently being processed in the Senate before returning to Congress for the final vote, is likely to be approved by mid-May. The law will benefit all those accused, charged or investigated for their role in the Catalan independence push.