The chief of Catalonia’s police force has been accused of sedition for allegedly refusing to carry out judicial orders in the build-up to last Sunday’s controversial referendum on independence for the region.

Major Josep Lluis Trapero could face a prison sentence of up to 15 years if the investigating judge in Madrid decides to formalise the charge in the latest flashpoint between the Spanish courts and Catalan officials after Spanish police forces used strong-arm tactics against voters in a bid to prevent the referendum from taking place.

On September 20, investigators from the military Guardia Civil force raided Catalonia’s economy department in Barcelona, following a judge’s orders to search for material or logistical back-up for a ballot deemed illegal by Spain’s courts.

After a large crowd of around 40,000 people gathered in front of the building in protest at raids in which 14 officials were arrested, the judge ordered Major Trapero to deploy his Mossos d’Esquadra police force to allow the Guardia Civil officers to exit the building.