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Hans-Georg Maassen, head of Germany's intelligence service, the BfV, claimed the Kremlin meddled in last year's Catalan independence referendum. He said it was "very plausible" Moscow whipped up a campaign of disinformation before the controversial vote last October. His comments, made at a security summit in Berlin, came as as Catalonia elected a new hardline president to lead its drive for independence. Quim Torra, a close ally of ex-president Carles Puigdemont, was voted in after Catalonia's regional parliament approved the move by 66 votes to 65.

The Catalan republic is equality, liberty and fraternity Quim Torra

In a brief speech after the vote, Mr Torra underlined plans to push ahead with the secessionist agenda of his predecessor. Mr Torra said: "With a republic, everyone will win rights, nobody will lose rights: these are for everyone, no matter which way they vote. "The Catalan republic is equality, liberty and fraternity. A Catalan republic means looking towards Europe." Mr Puigdemont fled Spain last autumn after the declaration of independence, which went unrecognised internationally. He is on bail in Germany facing extradition to Spain, where he is wanted on charges of rebellion and embezzlement of public funds. He faces 30 years in prison if convicted.

GETTY Vladimir Putin's Russian regime has been accused of trying to tear Spain apart

Last October, Madrid's government first made allegations of Russia using social media to meddle in the Catalan separatist cause. Defence Minister Maria Dolores de Cospedal said: "Many messages and operations that were seen via social networks come from Russian territory. "And I use the correct expression: from Russian territory. "That's not to say necessarily that we have determined that it is the Russian government.

GETTY Quim Torra has been elected Catalonia's new president, replacing Carles Puigdemont