29th March 2024
Carles Puigdemont
Barcelona News Catalonia News Madrid News Main News

Spain warns Belgium it will ‘take decisions’ if Puigdemont not extradited

Spain has warned that it will ‘take decisions’ if the Belgian judiciary fails to hand over former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont to answer charges of sedition and misuse of public funds.

Tuesday’s hearing at the Brussels court was postponed until 16 December, as Puigdemont’s lawyers asked for more time to analyse the evidence.

ALSO READ: Belgian court: Puigdemont remains free whilst extradition considered

This is the first European Arrest Warrant against Puigdemont since his former colleagues in the Catalan government were sentenced to lengthy prison terms two weeks ago for their role in the 2017 push for independence.

Carles Puigdemont
Former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont. (Nazaret Romero / ACN)

It’s also Spain’s third extradition attempt since the former president left the country for Belgium following the failed independence bid in 2017.

ALSO READ: Catalan Trial verdict and sentences – up to 13 years

Spain’s acting deputy prime minister, Carmen Calvo, warned Belgium on Tuesday morning that the Spanish government ‘will not understand’ if the Belgian authorities choose not to extradite Puigdemont, and she added that governments ‘have to work together’ on a daily basis.

‘Spain, at least while we remain in government, will not understand if the Belgian state does not recognise the validity of Spanish democracy by refusing to place before our judiciary those who have been charged in an absolutely guaranteed manner,’ said Calvo.

ALSO READ: ‘No chance’ to extradite Puigdemont on ‘fabricated’ terrorism case, says lawyer.

Recent Posts

Spanish prosecutors seek 2.5 year sentence for Rubiales’ World Cup kiss and coercion

News Desk

Spain’s Guardia Civil detain man for allegedly promoting IS terror online

News Desk

Spanish government takes 3% stake in Telefónica after Saudi deal concerns

News Desk

Vinícius breaks down while talking about racist insults he’s suffered in Spain

News Desk

Dani Alves released after paying €1m bail, awaiting appeal of rape conviction

News Desk

Spain’s High Court halts temporary suspension order of Telegram’s services

News Desk

Leave a Comment