Spanish police enter Catalan statistics institute searching for referendum information

Spanish police officers entered the Catalan Statistics Institute (IDESCAT) in plain clothes on Tuesday morning searching for information on the independence referendum, according to police sources. The intervention was ordered by a court which is currently investigating the preparations that allowed the vote to take place on October 1 despite opposition from the Spanish government.

According to the Catalan High Court of Justice, police officers were not told to raid the building, but to request information. IDESCAT sources said that the officers went up to the fourth floor of the building, where the IT department is located.

Spanish police raids in Catalan government buildings intensified in the run-up to the October 1 referendum. The administration is currently under control of Madrid following the application of Article 155 of the Constitution.

2.26 million votes

According to the Catalan government, 2.26 million people cast their ballots in the referendum, with the “yes” vote winning with 90% of the votes. The Spanish police violently cracked down on voters, reportedly leaving 1,066 injured. The vote was considered illegal by the Spanish Constitutional Court.