The Spanish government took direct control of the Catalonia on Monday, after it dismissed the region’s leaders who declared the independence from Spain, Reuters reported. The takeover was reported as peaceful with employees showing up at the offices despite separatists urging them to boycott the move.

Public sector workers ignored the separatist faction’s call for a civil disobedience movement putting to rest fears of violence during the government’s takeover, Reuters reported.

On Monday, Spain’s chief prosecutor José Manuel Maza announced the start of legal action against Catalan leaders including charges of rebellion, sedition and provocation.

Catalonia’s sacked President Carles Puigdemont is believed to be in Belgium, where human rights lawyer Paul Bekaert announced his decision to represent him.

The Spanish government had announced that Puigdemont can participate in the December 21 elections scheduled for Catalonia.