Catalan leaders freed by Belgian judge

  • 7 years ago
A judge in Belgium has freeded sacked Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont and four of his ministers.

Their release is conditional pending a court ruling over a European arrest warrant.

The five had earlier turned themselves in following Spain’s issuing of an arrest warrant for rebellion and sedition.

All are wanted by the government in Madrid for actions related to the push for Catalonian independence from Spain

Puigdemont arrived in Belgium shortly after Madrid sacked Catalonia’s regional government and parliament and imposed direct rule.

On Sunday pro-independence supporters held a rally in the the Spanish capital .

The Spanish government has called new elections in the region. Latest opinion polls suggest pro-independence parties will together win December’s vote although they may fall just short of a majority of seats in parliament needed to revive the secession campaign.

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