Catalan big still fights for independence

OUSTED CATALAN leader Carles Puigdemont (photo) took his bid for independence from Spain to Brussels on Tuesday, attempting to portray his secessionist movement as persecuted underdogs who deserve international backing in their fight against Madrid.

A Spanish judge, meanwhile, ordered him and the rest of his canned cabinet to appear for questioning as part of a rebellion probe — and may decide by Friday whether to issue arrest warrants.

In a high-profile appearance in Brussels, considered the headquarters of the European Union, Puigdemont kept up his defiant tone against the Spanish government’s relentless efforts to stop secession.

He insisted that he will remain the “legitimate” president of Catalonia and did not say how long he’d stay in the Belgian capital.

But he said he’d return “immediately” to Spain if he was guaranteed a fair trial.