Spanish government representative apologizes for referendum violence

Madrid’s representative in Catalonia, Enric Millo, has apologized for the police violence that took place on October 1’s referendum, breaking the Spanish government’s silence on the matter.

“When I see these images, and more so when I know people have been hit, pushed, and even one person hospitalized, I can’t help but regret it and apologize on behalf of the officers that intervened,” Milo said in a television interview on Friday.

He also pointed out that the Catalan government was responsible for having “provoked” the situation. The Spanish government representative accused Catalan president Carles Puigdemont and the Catalan government of encouraging citizens to vote when they knew a court order was in place to prevent the referendum.

"It would not have happened if everyone had fulfilled their obligation. Who is responsible? Those who encourage people to go to a place when they know that it is illegal,” he argued, stating that a judge’s order was in place to halt the referendum.

He noted that the Mossos would have to act if Monday’s proposed parliamentary session takes place regardless of the Constitutional Court’s ban. He criticized their behaviour on Sunday for not following orders to close polling stations and for putting “political agenda before professional criterion.”