Catalonia’s ex-president demands vote guarantee
The former president of Catalonia yesterday refused to return to Spain to face criminal charges unless he has a guarantee that the results of elections called by Madrid to wrest back control of the region would be respected.
Spain’s supreme court withdrew European Arrest Warrants issued for Carles Puigdemont and four of his cabinet, effectively daring him to return to Catalonia and face arrest or remain in exile. The politicians fled to Belgium to avoid charges of sedition after they declared independence following an unsanctioned referendum on Oct 1.