Quim Torra, the separatist head of government of the Spanish region of Catalonia, was expelled for disobedience. The Spanish Supreme Court confirmed last year’s conviction on Monday.

Torra was convicted of hanging a banner of the Catalan independence movement during the 2019 elections. He was fined EUR 30 000 and is not allowed to hold public office for the next year and a half as a result of the conviction.

Before the prosecution decided last year, the National Election Committee had called on Torra several times to remove the symbols. But he refused out of respect for the freedom of expression of officials.

It is feared that this statement could escalate the situation in Catalonia again. On 1 October, three years ago, the region held an illegal referendum on independence. This then led to protests with hundreds of thousands of participants, partly accompanied by violence.

The Omnium Cultural independence association has already called on separatists to assemble at 7 p.m. on Monday for Catalan regional government buildings.