Freed Catalan leader blasts Spain’s jailing of ‘comrades’
OUSTED Catalan president Carles Puigdemont has contrasted his freedom in Belgium with the jailing of other Catalan nationalists in Spain.
The remarks came in his first online comment since being released from custody.
Mr Puigdemont is fighting extradition to Spain for allegedly plotting a rebellion.
“Free and without bail”, Mr Puigdemont posted on his Twitter account yesterday.
He added: “Our thoughts are with the comrades unjustly jailed by a state that strays far from democratic practices.”
A Brussels judge released Mr Puigdemont and four close allies late on Sunday on condition they stay in Belgium and attend court sessions.
Belgian authorities are meanwhile considering Spain’s request to send him home.
The five fled to Belgium after Spanish authorities fired them on October 28 for seeking secession for Catalonia.
Nine other deposed Cabinet members in that same rebellion case were sent to jail in Madrid, eight of them without bail, while the judge’s investigation continues.
The leader of the biggest Belgian government party agreed with Mr Puigdemont’s sentiments on Spain’s response and especially that of its Popular Party conservative government to the independence bid by Catalonia’s political leaders.