Ousted Catalonia’s Leader, 4 Aides Surrender To Belgian Police
Europe, Latest Headlines, World News Sunday, November 5th, 2017
BALTIMORE, MD (AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The deposed Catalonia’s leader Carles Puigdemont and four of his former advisers have handed themselves to the Belgian police.
A prosecutor’s’ spokesman who confirmed the development, said an investigating judge would decide by Monday morning whether to execute an EU arrest warrant issued by a Spanish judge last Friday.
It would be recalled that Mr. Puigdemont fled to Belgium after Madrid imposed direct rule on Catalonia following an independence referendum.
He had earlier vowed he would not return to Spain unless he is guaranteed a fair trial.
He and his four associates have been declared wanted on charges ranging from rebellion to sedition, misuse of public funds, disobedience and breach of trust following the referendum which a Spanish court deemed unconstitutional.
Last week, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy again imposed a direct rule on Catalonia, dissolved the regional parliament and called local elections for December 21.
The ex-Catalonia’s associates in custody include: Meritxell Serret (former Agriculture Minister), Antoni Comín (Former Health Minister), Lluís Puig (former Culture Minister), and Clara Ponsatí (former Education Minister).
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