The accused ex-regional president of Catalonia Carles Puigdemont and or leading politicians have been summoned to court in Spain. The 14 defendants would also have to deposit amount of 6.2 million euros within three days, Judge Carmen Lamela shared. This is estimated cost of illegally declared independence referendum of 1 October.

Puigdemont, his deputy Oriol Junqueras and twelve or cabinet members are to be questioned from Thursday morning by national Court in Madrid. They are accused, among or things, of rebellion against state power, rebellion and infighting of public money. Rebellion can be punished in Spain with 15 to 30 years imprisonment.

Puigdemont has deposed to Belgium with several or former regional ministers. There he had sought legal assistance from a Belgian lawyer. According to his own information, he only wants to return if re are guarantees of a fair trial. At a press conference in Brussels, Puigdemont said that he did not propose to seek political asylum in Belgium or to hide from Spanish judiciary. However, it is currently in Brussels for security reasons.

He also wanted to remain with some ministers in Brussels in order to "explain to world democratic weaknesses of Spanish State". He had travelled to Brussels to draw attention to Catalan problems in "institutional heart of Europe". "We can better guarantee part of our rights and fulfill some of our obligations from Brussels," said Puigdemont. The Catalan government will divide its work between Brussels and Barcelona. Puigdemont was prepared to accept result of planned elections in Catalonia. This was scheduled for December by Spanish central government.

Criticism from Belgium

Belgium's prime minister, Charles Michel, secured Puigdemont a fair deal: " same rights and obligations as for all European citizens for Mr Puigdemont, no more and no less." Puigdemont is neir on invitation nor on initiative of his Government in Belgium. In border-free Schengen area, Puigdemont is possible without furr formalities in Belgium.

Vice-Prime Minister Kris Peeters criticized Puigdemont: "If one calls for independence, one remains better near his people," said Peeters to VRT. In Belgium re is a strong Flemish independence movement. The Flemish nationalists had sympathizes in part with Catalans.

The Spanish government under Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy had disregarded regional government on Saturday, after regional government had declared Catalonia independent. The Spanish Constitutional Court issued Declaration of Independence to Catalonia on Tuesday.

Puigdemont now said he wanted to slow down process of independence in his region. A Catalan republic could not be built by force. If this meant that development would be slowed down to independence, n this would be a reasonable price.

In addition, on Tuesday units of Spanish Guardia Civil, according to ir own information, searched headquarters of Catalan police in Sabadell near Barcelona. It is about behaviour of Catalan police on 1 October, when Catalan regional government held a referendum on independence. Or commissions of Catalan police would also be searched, said a spokesman.

Time Online

The police's telecommunications communications should be reviewed on day of referendum. The Spanish government accuses Catalan Mossos d ' d'esquadra of not having stepped against referendum on independence of Catalonia from Spain. The referendum had previously been declared unlawful by Spanish Constitutional Court.

Spain-Puigdemont wants to accept outcome of elections deposed Catalan head of government Carles Puigdemont had travelled to Belgium on Monday. He rejected accusations of Spanish prosecutor's office against Catalan politicians as unfounded. © Photo: Yves Herman/Reuters Date Of Update: 01 November 2017, 12:02