Police against democracy: Catalan police ordered to stop independence vote

The Superior Prosecutor of Catalonia summoned the heads of the three police forces operating in Catalonia - the Civil Guard, the National Police and the Catalan police (Mossos d’Esquadra) - to the Supreme Court to give them the official orders.

The orders call on the police to confiscate ballot boxes, electoral envelopes, instruction manuals for electoral volunteers, and flyers.

The prosecutors add that since the Catalan government does not have the legal right to hold consultation over questions that affect the constitutional order, any activity to celebrate the referendum is illegal.

These instructions are particularly difficult for the local Catalan police force to follow, as they directly report to the Catalan government, which is the body responsible for organizing the referendum.

“The main function of the Catalan police is to guarantee the security of the people...” said Carles Puigdemont, President of Catalonia, on a local radio program on Tuesday.

“Taking away ballot boxes is not going after crime.” ■