Spain's court deals new blow to Catalan independence vote
Posted September 12, 2017 7:00 am
MADRID (AP) - Spanish media are reporting that the country's top court has preventively suspended the law that was meant to become Catalonia's transitional constitution if the northeastern region declares itself a separate nation.
The country's Constitutional Court has already suspended the law and decree calling for a referendum on secession while it considers the Spanish government's claim that it is unconstitutional.
Catalan leaders say they will go ahead with the Oct. 1 ballot anyway.
The state prosecutor's office said the chiefs of the three judicial police forces in Catalonia, including the regional Mossos police force, are being briefed Tuesday on their legal obligation to stop any actions toward holding a referendum.
On Monday, hundreds of thousands of Catalans marked their national holiday by supporting the right to vote and become independent.
People with estelada or independence flags walk at the end of a big rally during the Catalan National Day in Barcelona, Spain, Monday Sept. 11, 2017. Many thousands rally in Barcelona to show support for an independent Catalan nation and the right to vote in a controversial referendum that has been banned by Spain. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
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EDS NOTE : SPANISH LAW REQUIRES THAT THE FACES OF MINORS ARE MASKED IN PUBLICATIONS WITHIN SPAIN: A boy wrapped with an "estelada" or independence flag waits for the metro at Plaza Cataluna station during the Catalan National Day, in Barcelona, Spain, on Monday, Sept. 11, 2017. Some thousands of people are expected to rally in Barcelona to show their support for an independent Catalan nation and the right to vote in a controversial referendum that has been banned by Spain. (AP Photo / Santi Palacios)
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A woman enters in a Barcelona's metro station wrapped with an "estelada" or independence flag, during the Catalan National Day in Barcelona, Spain, on Monday, Sept. 11, 2017. Some thousands are expected to rally in Barcelona to show support for an independent Catalan nation and the right to vote in a controversial referendum that has been banned by Spain. (AP Photo / Santi Palacios)
The Associated Press
Family members wearing estelada or independence flags on their back walk at the end of a big rally during the Catalan National Day in Barcelona, Spain, Monday Sept. 11, 2017. Some thousands rally in Barcelona to show support for an independent Catalan nation and the right to vote in a controversial referendum that has been banned by Spain. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
The Associated Press
A couple wrapped with "esteladas" or independence flags, travel on a metro train, during the Catalan National Day in Barcelona, Spain, on Monday, Sept. 11, 2017. Some thousands of people are expected to rally in Barcelona to show their support for an independent Catalan nation and the right to vote in a controversial referendum that has been banned by Spain. (AP Photo / Santi Palacios)
The Associated Press
A couple wrapped with "esteladas" or independence flags, walk inside a Barcelona's metro station during the Catalan National Day in Barcelona, Spain, on Monday, Sept. 11, 2017. Some thousands of people are expected to rally in Barcelona to show their support for an independent Catalan nation and the right to vote in a controversial referendum that has been banned by Spain. (AP Photo / Santi Palacios)
The Associated Press
Catalans with estelada or independence flags gather during the Catalan National Day in Barcelona, Spain, Monday Sept. 11, 2017. Hundreds of thousands rally in Barcelona to show support for an independent Catalan nation and the right to vote in a controversial referendum that has been banned by Spain. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
The Associated Press
People holds up a giant estelada or independence flag during the Catalan National Day in Barcelona, Spain, Monday Sept. 11, 2017.Hundreds of thousands rally in Barcelona to show support for an independent Catalan nation and the right to vote in a controversial referendum that has been banned by Spain. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
The Associated Press
Performers build human towers as Catalans with estelada or independence flags gather during the Catalan National Day in Barcelona, Spain, Monday Sept. 11, 2017. Hundreds of thousands rally in Barcelona to show support for an independent Catalan nation and the right to vote in a controversial referendum that has been banned by Spain. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
The Associated Press
Catalans with estelada or independence flags gather during the Catalan National Day in Barcelona, Spain, Monday Sept. 11, 2017. Hundreds of thousands are expected to rally in Barcelona to show support for an independent Catalan nation and the right to vote in a controversial referendum that has been banned by Spain. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
The Associated Press
Catalans with estelada or independence flags gather during the Catalan National Day in Barcelona, Spain, Monday Sept. 11, 2017. Hundreds of thousands are expected to rally in Barcelona to show support for an independent Catalan nation and the right to vote in a controversial referendum that has been banned by Spain. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
The Associated Press
A woman holds an umbrella with the colors of the estelada or Catalan independence flag as she gathers with thousands during the Catalan National Day in Barcelona, Spain, Monday Sept. 11, 2017. Hundreds of thousands are expected to rally in Barcelona to show support for an independent Catalan nation and the right to vote in a controversial referendum that has been banned by Spain. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
The Associated Press
Two young woman are silhouetted against an estelada or independence flag as they gather with thousands during the Catalan National Day in Barcelona, Spain, Monday Sept. 11, 2017. Hundreds of thousands are expected to rally in Barcelona to show support for an independent Catalan nation and the right to vote in a controversial referendum that has been banned by Spain. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
The Associated Press
Catalans with estelada or independence flags gather during the Catalan National Day in Barcelona, Spain, Monday Sept. 11, 2017. Hundreds of thousands are expected to rally in Barcelona to show support for an independent Catalan nation and the right to vote in a controversial referendum that has been banned by Spain. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
The Associated Press
Catalans with estelada or independence flags gather during the Catalan National Day in Barcelona, Spain, Monday Sept. 11, 2017. Hundreds of thousands are expected to rally in Barcelona to show support for an independent Catalan nation and the right to vote in a controversial referendum that has been banned by Spain. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
The Associated Press
A man sits on the street holding a estelada or independence flag as he gathers with thousands during the Catalan National Day in Barcelona, Spain, Monday Sept. 11, 2017. Hundreds of thousands are expected to rally in Barcelona to show support for an independent Catalan nation and the right to vote in a controversial referendum that has been banned by Spain. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
The Associated Press
People wave esteladas or independence flags, during the Catalan National Day in Barcelona, Spain, Monday Sept. 11, 2017. Hundreds of thousands rally in Barcelona to show support for an independent Catalan nation and the right to vote in a controversial referendum that has been banned by Spain. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
The Associated Press
A woman enters the metro station of Plaza Cataluna wrapped with an "estelada" or independence flag, during Catalan National Day, in Barcelona, Spain, Monday, Sept. 11, 2017. Thousands of people are expected to rally in Barcelona to show their support for an independent Catalan nation and the right to vote in a controversial referendum that has been banned by Spain. (AP Photo/Santi Palacios)
The Associated Press
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