The European Parliament voted to strip the parliamentary immunity of three Catalan MEPs who are facing sedition charges in Spain for their roles in organizing a 2017 independence referendum, according to results announced Tuesday.

The vote in favor of lifting the immunity from prosecution for the former regional president Carles Puigdemont, as well as a former health official, Antoni Comín, and a former education official, Clara Ponsatí, was widely expected. It is also unlikely to resolve their legal saga.

Two Belgian courts have blocked the extradition of a fourth former Catalan official, Lluís Puig, and prosecutors have declined to appeal further, essentially leaving a precedent in place that should shield the three MEPs. Their cases have been on hold pending the decision on immunity.