Carlos Puicdemont, President of Catalonia, stated that by his actions the Spanish government actually suspended the autonomy of Catalonia and imposed a state of emergency in the region, reports EL Mundo.

Previously, Spain took control of the finances of Catalonia to prevent the use of funds for holding a referendum on independence.

The actions of the Spanish government the Catalan president regarded as "democratic disgrace", and now Madrid crossed the "red line", and it does not differ from authoritarian and repressive regimes. "

"Today, the government of [Catalonia] has been subjected to aggression coordinated by the police forces of the Ministry of the Interior of Spain in order to prevent the Catalans from expressing their right to referendum and suspending the activities of the government [of Spain]," said Puicdemont.

"Police actions in different places, arrests of high-ranking officials and employees, intimidation of the media, an attempt to block government accounts, the closure of a web page ... This is an unacceptable situation for democracy."

According to Reuters, the police detained 14 high-ranking officials connected with the preparation of a referendum on the independence of the region from Madrid.

La Vanguardia specifies that among the detainees are the heads of several regional departments - the economy, foreign affairs and social protection. Also, searches are conducted in the offices of tax and financial services, at the premises of a telecommunications company.

The head of the Catalan branch of the Podemos party, Xavier Domenech, called on the Catalans to mobilize their forces to protect their rights and the sovereignty of the region. According to him, the actions of the authorities "crossed all borders," Lenta.Ru informs.

Recall, Catalonia - an area in the northeast of Spain, which seeks separation from the kingdom. The Parliament of Catalonia on September 6 approved the referendum on independence, which is scheduled for October 1.