Catalonia: threat to impose massive fines on ex-minister prompts outcry
by Stephen Burgen in Barcelona from on (#5KKWD)
Dozens of Nobel laureates sign open letter condemning treatment of economist Andreu Mas-Colell
Threats of massive fines against the economist and former Catalan finance minister Andreu Mas-Colell for his alleged role in Catalonia's failed independence bid in 2017 have prompted international condemnation.
Mas-Colell, 76, who served as finance minister from 2010-16, is among 40 officials, including the former Catalan presidents Artur Mas and Carles Puigdemont, accused by a tribunal of illegally using 4.8m of public money between 2011 and 2017 to further the cause of independence.
Related: Freed Catalan leader calls on Spain to think about future generations'
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