Catalonia will declare region's independence 'in matter of days'

Catalonia will declare independence from Spain in a matter of days, the leader of the autonomous region has told the BBC.

In his first interview since a disputed vote on Sunday, Carles Puigdemont said his government would "act at the end of this week or the beginning of next".

Meanwhile, Spain's King Felipe VI said the vote's organisers had put themselves "outside the law".

He said the situation in Spain was "extremely serious", calling for unity.

Tensions between Spain and the north-eastern Catalonia region continue to mount.

The Spanish High Court said it had begun an investigation into key Catalan figures on Wednesday on suspicion of sedition inciting rebellion against the state - including the head of Catalonia's regional police.

Josep Lluis Trapero, who leads the Mossos d'Esquadra force, is suspected of failing to control a demonstration during a police raid on Catalan government offices before the vote.

Hundreds of thousands of people across Catalonia have been protesting over Spanish police violence during the vote, during which nearly 900 people were hurt.

The police were trying to enforce a Spanish court order suspending the vote, which the government had declared illegal.

During the vote, 33 police officers were also injured, local medical officials said.

In the BBC interview, Catalonia's President Carles Puigdemont said his government would "act at the end of this week or the beginning of next".

When asked what he would do if the Spanish government were to intervene and take control of Catalonia's government, Mr Puigdemont said it would be "an error which changes everything".

SOURCE: BBC NEWS
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