Preparing for trouble

OPERATION MINERVA is the Catalan regional police’s answer to possible trouble next Tuesday.

This will be the second anniversary of the unauthorised pro-independence referendum held on October 1, 2017, which resulted in street violence and confrontation between the police and members of public determined to vote that day.

The Mossos d’Esquadra, together with Guardia Civil and Policia Nacional, are already on alert for possible conflict and according to Spanish media sources, the Mossos will begin a special operation the previous day.

An “important number” of Mossos will be on the streets and at the time of writing Eduard Sallent, the regional force’s chief commissioner, was meeting high-ranking officers to discuss potential disturbances on October 1 and during the coming weeks.

The 12 members of Cataluña’s who allowed the unauthorised referendum to go ahead two years ago stood trial before the summer, charged with rebellion and misuse of public funds.

Their sentences are due to be announced during the first fortnight of October and the authorities are aware that this will be inevitably be followed by protests.

This will be the second anniversary of the unauthorised pro-independence referendum held on October 1, 2017, which resulted in street violence and confrontation between the police and members of public determined to vote that day.

The Mossos d’Esquadra, together with Guardia Civil and Policia Nacional, are already on alert for possible conflict and according to Spanish media sources, the Mossos will begin a special operation the previous day.

An “important number” of Mossos will be on the streets and at the time of writing Eduard Sallent, the regional force’s chief commissioner, was meeting high-ranking officers to discuss potential disturbances on October 1 and during the coming weeks.

The 12 members of Cataluña’s who allowed the unauthorised referendum to go ahead two years ago stood trial before the summer, charged with rebellion and misuse of public funds.

Their sentences are due to be announced during the first fortnight of October and the authorities are aware that this will be inevitably be followed by protests.