International
Spanish judge issues arrest warrant for runaway Catalonian leader
For failing to appear before a high court to answer for rebellion and sedition charges, a Spanish judge has issued a warrant of arrest for exiled Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont who has taken refuge in Belgium.
The warrant by Judge Carmen Lamela which also added two more charges: prevarication (lying) and disobedience was reportedly issued on the grounds that it is public knowledge that Puigdemont is in Belgium.
Named also in the warrant are four other Catalan ex ministers who accompanied Puigdemont to Brussels, the capital of Belgium.
Puigdemont told Belgian state TV, RTBF, earlier on Friday that he “did not flee” Spain, but he travelled to Brussels to avoid violence.
Read also: REBElLLION & SEDITION CHARGES: Catalonia leader, 4 others, ignore court order
“Violence has never been an option for us,” he said.
24-hours ago, eight regional ministers sacked over Catalonia’s push for independence from Spain were jailed over charges of sedition, rebellion and embezzlement.
Among those jailed without bail are sacked Catalan Vice President Oriol Junqueras, Jordi Turull, the former spokesperson for the Catalan government, former Minister of the Workforce Dolors Bassa and others.
However, Santi Vila, the former Catalan head of the Ministry of Business, was released after tendering a 50,000 euro ($58,300) bail payment.
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