Spain: Court ponders sedition charges for Catalan protesters
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Spain's National Court plans to investigate possible sedition charges for demonstrators who took part in a massive protest against a police crackdown on preparations for an Oct. 1 referendum on the Catalonia region's independence.
Investigative Judge Carmen Lamela said Wednesday that the court would investigate if the Sept. 20 demonstration constituted a tumultuous uprising against police, which could constitute sedition. The judge called on Spain's paramilitary Civil Guard to provide information.
The decision followed a complaint by the court's chief prosecutor that named two civil groups as organizers of the demonstration in Barcelona. It took place outside a building that police had raided and two Civil Guard vehicles were thrashed.
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The groups, Catalan National Assembly and Omnium Cultural, are two of the driving forces behind the call for Catalan independence.