Spanish prosecutors will be filing a criminal case against Catalan President Artur Mas and two other officials, in response to an independence referendum held in the region earlier this month.

Spain's Attorney General Eduardo Torres-Dulce met with over 20 senior public prosecutors from across the country this week, where it was overwhelmingly agreed that a case should be put before the High Court of Justice in Catalonia.

Catalan's regional government held a non-binding referendum on November 9, with over two million Catalans participating, despite a court ruling declaring the poll “illegal”. More than 80% voted for independence.

Prosecutors may charge Mas, alongside his deputy Joana Ortega and Catalan's ducation minister, Irene Rigau,with civil disobedience, abuse of power, usurpation of duties and embezzlement of public funds.

If found guilty of these charges not only would the three be banned from standing for public office for several years, but they could also land a jail term of between three and six years.

See our earlier posts:

Spain files suit against Catalan leader over independence referendum (18 November 2014)

Catalans vow to push ahead with referendum despite court ruling (04 Nov 2014)

Catalan president announces non-binding independence ballot (15 Oct 2014)

Thousands protest after Spanish court rules secession vote unconstitutional (01 Oct 2014)