Sacked Catalonian leader Puigdemont turns himself into Belgian police
BRUSSELS - Reuters
Catalonia’s sacked separatist leader Carles Puigdemont and four of his former ministers turned themselves in to Belgian police on Nov. 5 after Spain issued a warrant for their arrest.
"They were deprived of their liberty at 9.17 am (0817 GMT)," the Belgian prosecutor’s office said.
The five were due to appear later Sunday before a judge who can decide whether to detain them or release them with conditions.
Puigdemont and his allies fled to Belgium on Oct. 30 after Spain dismissed the Catalan executive and imposed direct rule on Madrid following the regional parliament’s declaration of independence.
Only the five, their lawyer and an interpreter will be present at Sunday’s hearing, the prosecutor said.
Spain issued a warrant for their arrest on Nov. 3 after they failed to appear before a judge over alleged sedition, rebellion and misuse of public funds.
The judge in Madrid had on Nov. 2 put Puigdemont’s deputy and seven other deposed regional ministers behind bars because of a risk that they would flee.
