Special operation in Catalonia will continue as long as it's necessary - acting interior minister
Record ID:
1437134
Special operation in Catalonia will continue as long as it's necessary - acting interior minister
- Title: Special operation in Catalonia will continue as long as it's necessary - acting interior minister
- Date: 17th October 2019
- Summary: MADRID, SPAIN (OCTOBER 17, 2019) (REUTERS) INTERIOR MINISTER FERNANDO GRANDE-MARLASKA ARRIVING AT PRESS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) INTERIOR MINISTER, FERNANDO GRANDE-MARLASKA, SAYING: "This operation and coordination will continue these days and for as long as it is necessary, although I appeal to the citizens of Catalonia to express themselves, as most have done, peacefully. A democratic state governed by the rule of law such as Spain guarantees the free development of the right of assembly and demonstration. However, respecting those of the rest of the citizens." MINISTER MARLASKA IN THE PRESS ROOM JOURNALISTS DURING PRESS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) INTERIOR MINISTER, FERNANDO GRANDE-MARLASKA, SAYING: "What I have to say to President Torra is that, in the first place, he condemn in an express and undoubted way the violence that has been carried these days in Catalonia. In an express and undoubted way, not at the last hour of the night and in a dragged way." JOURNALIST FILMING PHOTOGRAPHERS SHOOTING (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) INTERIOR MINISTER, FERNANDO GRANDE-MARLASKA, SAYING: "In the face of these (violent) demonstrations, let me remind President Torra to decide once and for all whether he wants to be the president of the Catalans, the highest representative of the state in Catalonia, or an activist." MINISTER MARLASKA IN THE PRESS ROOM
- Embargoed: 31st October 2019 13:07
- Keywords: Spain's acting Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska protests in Catalonia Barcelona separatist protests police
- Location: MADRID, SPAIN
- City: MADRID, SPAIN
- Country: Spain
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA001B1HJM87
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Spain's Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said on Thursday (October 17) that the special operation in Catalonia will continue as long as it's necessary, reminding Catalan citizens to demonstrate peacefully.
"A democratic state governed by the rule of law such as Spain guarantees the free development of the right of assembly and demonstration. However, respecting those of the rest of the citizens.", he said during a news conference at Moncloa Palace in Madrid.
Catalonia's pro-independence regional chief Quim Torra said on Thursday a new vote would have to be held to decide on self-determination for the region.
Grande-Marlaska said Torra should choose whether being the highest representative of Spain in Catalonia or to be "an activist".
Torra said he aims for the region to be independent from Spain by the end of 2021 if Catalan parties agree to it.
The northeastern region has been rocked by protests over the past three days after the Supreme Court jailed nine separatist leaders over a failed 2017 independence bid in which they held a referendum that courts had deemed illegal.
(Production: Julien Hennequin, Elena Rodriguez) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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