Spain's top prosecutor has filed heavy charges against the toppled leaders of the region of Catalonia for their attempts to secure independence from the country.
Last week, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy assumed direct control of the autonomous region, sacked its government and called a snap election.
If found guilty in Spain's Supreme Court, the Catalan officials, including ousted president Carles Puigdemont, could face up to 30 years in jail.
Spanish attorney-general Jose Manuel Maza has laid charges of rebellion, sedition and embezzlement against the Catalan independence leaders.
The crimes are punishable by up to 30, 15 and six years, respectively, in prison.
The Catalan parliament voted last week to declare independence, escalating already-rife tension between the Catalan and Spanish governments.
The Spanish government then chose to enact Article 155 of the constitution, which allows for central control of the regional government.
Mr Maza says the charges are in response to what he says is a violation of the constitution.
