The long arm of the Kremlin! Spain investigates alleged links of Catalan separatists to Moscow

Barcelona judge Joaquín Aguirre has asked the country's Supreme Court to investigate the former head of Catalonia, Carles Puigdemont, and another former leader of the autonomous region, Artur Mas, because of their alleged possible ties to Russia, writes Europa Press.

The case will investigate crimes related to treason and embezzlement of public funds in connection with the pro-independence leaders' alleged ties to the Russian Federation, the Spanish news agency reported on Friday, citing a judge's decision.

According to the decision, the purpose of the new case is to "investigate, including at the request of the European Parliament", any alleged links with the Russian Federation, "the travels and meetings of Puigdemont and his associates, as well as the activities they carried out that would facilitated the penetration of persons of Russian origin into Spanish territory with the aim of influencing financial structures and carrying out activities for disinformation, destabilization and change of the social world".

In February, MEPs approved a resolution warning European officials and politicians not to cooperate with Russian authorities. In particular, the document claims MEPs are extremely concerned about alleged links between former Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont and the Russian Federation. The EP proposed that the cases of the Catalan MEPs be referred to the Advisory Committee for further investigation.