46 police officers to be tried for 2017 referendum baton charges

Barcelona Provincial Court has confirmed that 46 Spanish National Police officers will go on trial for their actions during the Catalan independence referendum of 2017.   

The judge rejected the appeal of the officers under investigation, as the court found evidence and numerous images pointing to possible police abuses, including injuries and crimes against the moral integrity of pro-independence voters.   

The court also found evidence against some officers who falsely claimed not to have been present, and also upheld the case against some commanders of the operation for issuing orders that led to disproportionate interventions.

Catalonia's independence vote on October 1, 2017, which was deemed illegal by Spain, was marred by violence, with 1,066 people requiring medical attention as a result of Spanish police charges, according to the Catalan health department.

The judge also upheld the dismissal of cases relating to another 21 police officers.

Òmnium, a pro-independence group, and Irídia, a human rights organization acting as prosecutors, had requested that all of the officers face trial, but their requests were denied.

Despite the rejection of their appeals, the prosecutors celebrated the judge's decision as a significant step forward in the fight against "impunity for not only disproportionate, but also criminal police actions."