Catalan police head resigns on eve of referendum anniversary

The head of the Mossos d'Esquadra Catalan police resigned his post on Monday, a day before the second anniversary of the 2017 unilateral independence referendum.

Andreu Joan Martínez said he was stepping down after "achieving" the different objectives that had been set for him, according to interior department sources. 

Pere Ferrer Sastre was appointed as Martínez's successor at the head of the Catalan police during the government's weekly cabinet meeting on Monday.

Interior minister Miquel Buch thanked Martínez and wished Ferrer "much luck," describing the new police head as someone with "experience, good judgment, and enthusiasm."

The role of the Catalan police was questioned in the trial of the leaders behind the independence bid, with accusations that the force did not do enough to stop the vote.