Catalan president flees as he faces charges of rebellion and sedition
CATALONIA’S ousted president Carles Puigdemont has reportedly fled to Brussels to seek asylum as prosecutors announced plans to charge him with rebellion.
His decision not to stay in Barcelona to defy Madrid’s imposition of direct rule on Catalonia has been seen as a sign the region’s bid for independence is faltering.
He and five key allies are said to have secretly travelled to Belgium despite the sacked Catalan government’s vow to turn up to work as usual yesterday.
Belgian lawyer Paul Bekaert said: “I can confirm Carles Puigdemont has appointed me as his legal representative, as he is currently in Belgium.”
Spain’s Attorney General Jose Manuel Maza called for Mr Puigdemont and 19 colleagues to be charged with rebellion, sedition and misuse of public funds for holding the “illegal” independence referendum on October 1.
The requests by Spain’s chief prosecutor will be considered by a judge. Rebellion carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in jail.
Alicia Gimenez, a student among Mr Puigdemont’s supporters waiting for him yesterday at the Catalan government’s HQ in Barcelona, said: “I wanted him to resist more… Today fell flat.
“I’m surprised he has gone, but maybe it is a smart move. They won’t be able to put him in prison if he is in Belgium.”
It is one of the few European Union countries where EU citizens can ask for political asylum. Belgium’s asylum minister Theo Francken said it is “not unrealistic” Mr Puigdemont would be granted political sanctuary there.
Other sacked Catalan ministers did turn up for work yesterday, including the parliament’s speaker Carme Forcadell, who also faces charges.
Head of territorial affairs Josep Rull tweeted a photo of himself at his desk.
Last night there were tensions again on the streets of Barcelona as police battled to keep hundreds of independence supporters and around 70 prounion demonstrators apart.
It comes after 300,000 people turned out in the city for a rally on Sunday to pledge allegiance to Spain. There were ugly scenes as some campaigners making Nazi salutes lashed out at police.
The Spanish government took control of Catalonia – dissolving its parliament and announcing new elections – after Mr Puigdemont’s declaration of independence for the region on Friday.
UPSET ABOUT PUIGDEMONT FLEEING SURPRISED
I wanted him to resist more – today fell flat