A Spanish Supreme Court judge has charged 13 Catalan separatist politicians, including fugitive former regional president Carles Puigdemont, with rebellion for their attempt to declare independence from Spain.
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Judge Pablo Llarena's indictment wrapped up the investigation into the events that six months ago plunged Spain into its deepest political crisis in decades.
Rebellion charges are punishable with up to 30 years in prison under Spanish law.
In a court ruling issued Friday, Llarena said 25 Catalans will be tried for rebellion, embezzlement or disobedience.
Five Catalan politicians, including Puigdemont, fled to Brussels following the failed secession attempt in late October. An anti-establishment party's former lawmaker, Anna Gabriel, fled to Switzerland earlier this year.
The unity of Spain is enshrined in the Constitution, which says the country is "indivisible," and courts have blocked Catalonia's independence efforts at every turn. Secession is not allowed without a reform of the top law.
Twelve of the former regional ministers are also charged with misuse of public funds. And seven other lawmakers are charged with disobedience.
Six of the politicians were summoned to court on Friday - an indication that the judge may later in the day order them jailed pending trial.
They include Jordi Turull, a former minister of the ousted regional Cabinet, who on Thursday failed in his bid to be elected as the region's new president.
The semiautonomous region has been without a leader for nearly five months after central authorities took control following October's illegal independence declaration.
Australian Associated Press
