FORMER CATALAN LEADER ON TRIAL FOR ILLEGAL REFERENDUM|獨立公投涉違憲 加泰隆尼亞前主席出庭

Meanwhile in Spain, on Feb. 6, thousands of protesters gathered outside a Barcelona court to show support as the former head of the eastern Spanish region of Catalonia went on trial for staging a 2014 informal referendum on independence. The referendum is considered in breach of a legal order. At the same time, renewed attempts at independence are now being coordinated by Catalonia's current president Carles Puigdemont. Another referendum will likely be set in September. With thousands of protestors gathered at court building, the Catalonia's former President Artur Mas arrived for a trial. Mas was accused in breach of a legal order. If found guilty, Mas could face a 10-year ban from public office. In 2014, Mas ignored warning from the Constitution Court of Spain and staged an informal referendum on independence. The result turned out 80% voters voted for pro-independence, but was later invalidated by the Spanish government. ==ARTUR MAS Catalan Former President== I have always taken responsibility for this action, for having had the idea and for having pushed it forward. Therefore, I am responsible. Catalonia is located in the north-eastern region of Spain, its economy accounts 1/5 of Spain. Catalonia has its own language and culture, it has long been fighting for independence. Although Mas was on trial, but people do not forsake their dream of seeking independence. ==MIQUEL JOANFONT Pro-independence demonstrator== It is quite amazing to see the effort that people make in order to be here and to stand before their ideas and to claim democracy and true justice with the Catalan people who are asking for a referendum in this case. The courts aren't the right scenario to debate this issue. The current Catalon President Carles Puigdemont stands with Mas and said he will push for the official independence referendum this September in disregard of the Spanish government. TRANSLATED BY：ANTHONY LIN 6號一早，加泰隆尼亞前自治主席馬斯在支持群眾簇擁下，走向巴塞隆納法院出庭應訊。他被控違反國家法令，罪名一旦成立，可能褫奪公權十年他在2014年11月不理會憲法法庭的違憲警告，推動加泰隆尼亞獨立公投，投票結果有高達8成選民贊成獨立，但被西班牙政府宣布無效。 ==加泰隆尼亞前自治主席 馬斯== 我絕對會為此行為負責 因為提出這個想法 並推動它 所以 由我負責 加泰隆尼亞位於西班牙東北部，經濟規模約占全國1／5，擁有自己的語言和截然不同的文化，長久以來爭取獨立。馬斯雖然被告上法院，當地民眾仍舊不放棄獨立的夢想 ==抗議人士 喬安方特== 看到人們集結在此 為理想挺身而出 追求民主和真正的正義 和要求公投的加泰隆尼亞人站在一起 真叫人吃驚 這個議題不該在法院辯論 加泰隆尼亞自治區現任主席普伊德蒙特也跟馬斯站在同一陣線，揚言無論西班牙中央政府是否同意，都會在今年九月舉行獨立公投。 記者 曾惠敏 報導