Former Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont has handed himself in to Belgian authorities, following the arrest warrant issued by the Spanish Supreme Court a few days ago. Puidgemont has been living in a self-imposed exile in Belgium since 2017, when he was accused by the Spanish government of organising an illegal referendum and making a unilateral declaration of independence.
Puigdemont, officially accused of sedition and misuse of public funds, was then released by Belgian authorities on bail, after testifying, with the leader’s office stating that “Puigdemont, accompanied by his lawyers, has appeared voluntarily before the Belgian authorities in response to the European arrest warrant issued by the Spanish supreme court”.
Upon his release, Puigdemont said: “The judge who took my statement has decided to release me without bail with the possibility of leaving the country under his permission, legalising my residence and being available if summoned by the judicial authorities and obviously enjoying my rights”.
Puigdemont declared he never intended to abscond from justice, but he strongly refuses the Spanish extradition order. The leader has already avoided two extraditions from Germany and Belgium, due to complications with the countries’ legislation (Belgium does not have an equivalent offence of sedition).
On the other hand, despite being elected as a European legislator, Puigdemont cannot call for parliamentary immunity, since he did not swear on the Spanish constitution, which is considered a compulsory prerequisite.
In the meantime, the political situation in Catalonia in quickly developing. Protests and strikes continue all over Barcelona, while Spain is heading to the fourth political elections in four years.
#Peace.Love.Puigdemont
