Catalan leader in custody
CATALAN ex-president Carles Puigdemont and four other former ministers turned themselves in to police in Brussels yesterday.
All five were taken into custody after Spain issued a European arrest warrant for them on Friday.
A spokesman for the Brussels prosecutor said: “This morning the five people wanted by Spain presented themselves to police in Brussels.”
He added, their case will be heard by a judge, who will “have 24 hours, until 9.17am on Monday, to decide whether to refuse the European arrest [warrant], arrest them, release them under conditions or grant bail”
Puigdemont and former ministers Meritxell Serret, Antoni Comin, Lluis Puig, and Clara Ponsati fled to Belgium last week after being removed from power by Spanish authorities.
They face charges – including rebellion and sedition – connected to Catalonia’s independence vote, which the Spanish government say was illegal and which has led to the region facing direct rule from Madrid.
Two polls yesterday suggested pro-Catalonia independence parties will together win December’s regional election although they may fall just short of a majority of seats in parliament needed to revive the secession campaign.
Yesterday, protesters took to the streets in Barcelona to demonstrate against the detention of Catalan officials.
Eight politicians and two activists are currently being held in Spain.