The pro-independence MEP and former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont, in exile in Belgium since 2017, following the attempted secession of Catalonia, was arrested Thursday, September 23 in Italy, his lawyer announced.
“President Puigdemont was arrested on his arrival in Sardinia, where he was going as an MEP”, said his lawyer, Gonzalo Boye, on Twitter, explaining that his arrest had taken place on the basis of a European arrest warrant dated October 14, 2019.
El President Puigdemont ha sido detenido a su llegada a Cerdeña donde acudía como eurodiputado; esta detención es e… https://t.co/96Iv8pyO1Z
The Catalan leader was arrested in Alghero, his chief of staff, Josep Lluis Alay, confirmed on Twitter. “On his arrival at Alghero airport, he was arrested by the Italian border police. tomorrow [vendredi], the president will be presented to the judges of the Sassari Court of Appeal, which is competent to decide on his release or extradition ”, said Mr. Alay.
No parliamentary immunity
On March 9, the European Parliament lifted the parliamentary immunity of Mr Puigdemont and two other pro-independence MEPs, a measure which was confirmed on July 30 by the General Court of the European Union.
Exiled in Belgium since the 2017 secession attempt in order to escape prosecution by Spanish justice, Carles Puigdemont did not benefit from the pardon granted at the end of June to the nine separatists imprisoned in Spain. The Spanish government of socialist Pedro Sanchez still wants him to be tried in Spain. Carles Puigdemont is being sued for “Sedition” and is accused of “Embezzlement of public funds”.
www.lemonde.fr