Spanish Constitutional Court Rules Resolution on Catalan Independence Illegal

Madrid has invoked Article 155 of the Spanish Constitution, imposing direct rule over Catalonia after the region's parliament voted in favor of a unilateral declaration of independence.

The Spanish Constitutional Court has annulled the unilateral declaration of independence by Catalonia that was made on October 27, El Confidencial newspaper said Wednesday.

Earlier this month, the Constitutional Court of Spain declared the three complementary laws, passed as a part of the Catalan referendum law, unconstitutional and annulled them.

Spain Invoked Article 155 After Catalonia's Unilateral Declaration of Independence

The internal crisis in Spain following Catalonia's independence referendum has deepened after the region's parliament in a secret vote had declared independence which led to the invocation of the Article 155 by Madrid. Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy stripped the rebellious region of its autonomous status and dismissed the Catalan government and called snap regional elections for December 21.

On October 2, the sacked ministers, as well as former Catalan President Carles Puigdemont, had to appear before the Spanish court as they have been accused of rebellion, sedition and the misuse of public funds. Nine cabinet members were ordered to be held in custody over their role in the Catalan independence push, whereas Puigdemont and four other Catalan leaders who fled to Belgium did not show up in court, prompting the Spanish court to issue an international arrest warrant.

After the arrest warrant was received by Belgium, a Brussels court's representative said that the court would hear the case on Puigdemont's extradition on November 17.