Spain's Constitutional Court declares Catalan referendum law void

The Catalan government responded immediately, with spokesman Jordi Turull saying the decision was “fast,” while “the mandate of the referendum continues.”

The court ruled “the law encroached state powers regarding popular consultations,” and that it “violated, among other constitutional principles, the supremacy of the Constitution, national sovereignty and the indissoluble unity of the Spanish nation,” El Pais quoted the decision as saying.

In September, the court suspended the legislation while studying its legality. On Monday, two leaders of pro-independence groups were detained in prison without bail as part of an investigation into alleged sedition. Jordi Sanchez and Jordi Cuixart from the National Catalan Assembly (ANC) and Òmnium, respectively, have been jailed on suspicion of organizing protests ahead of the vote.

READ MORE: Catalan separatist leaders detained amid sedition investigation

Their detention, though, is said to be a judicial matter, not a political one, according to Spanish Justice Minister Rafael Catala. The Catalan government reacted angrily, calling it “another episode of democratic disgrace.” 

Spox Turull: "Two innocent people have been put in jail by an incompetent tribunal for an inexistent crime" pic.twitter.com/iYMxXkuH0U

— Catalan Government (@catalangov) October 17, 2017

Spain jails Catalonia's civil society leaders for organising peaceful demonstrations. Sadly, we have political prisoners again

— Carles Puigdemont (@KRLS) October 16, 2017