by Our Foreign Desk

THOUSANDS rallied outside a Barcelona court yesterday in support of separatist Catalonian regional President Artur Mas.

The Democratic Convergence of Catalonia leader was being questioned over holding a symbolic referendum last year on independence from Spain, which the Madrid government had declared unconstitutional.

Some 400 separatist mayors and party leaders joined Mr Mas and his ministers as he walked parade-style to the court building, cheered on by 5,000 supporters.

Chants of: “Independence! Independence!” and: “This court does not represent us!” rang out as Mr Mas stopped to salute the crowd.

Speaking later, Mr Mas said he accepted full responsibility for last year’s referendum and accused Madrid of turning what he considered a democratic process into a criminal one.

He is under investigation for grave disobedience, abuse of public funds, prevarication, usurping powers and obstructing justice.

If convicted, he could face disqualification from office or up to a year in jail. Two of his associates are also under investigation.

The investigation was opened after the Catalonian autonomous community government under Mr Mas went ahead with the referendum in November 2014, defying a ruling by Spain’s Constitutional Court.

Around 80 per cent of voters backed Catalonian independence, although turnout was below 50 per cent.

Mr Mas also led the Together for Yes coalition of separatist parties in last month’s regional elections, which he declared a de facto referendum on independence.

While the alliance failed to win a majority, it is in talks with another separatist party to form a coalition government.