Puigdemont intends to stay in Belgium as European arrest warrant lifted

Although the warrant withdrawal, by judge Pablo Llarena, means Puigdemont and his four ministers currently in Brussels cannot be arrested in the northern European country, the national detention order raised by judge Carmen Lamela has not been lifted.

This means if Antonio Comín, Lluís Puig, Meritxell Serret, Clara Ponsatí and Puigdemont were to return to Spain, they would be immediately taken into custody.

Puigdemont's lawyer in Spain, Jaume Alonso-Cuevillas, says his client intends to vote in the regional elections on December 21 and even stand for Parliament and, although this means he would be arrested upon arrival, he 'has a firm political commitment' to his independence cause.

If he and the ministers returned and were placed in custody, they would be very likely to be charged with rebellion and sedition, which normally means a prison sentence of up to 30 years.

Judge Llarena's decision to scrap the European arrest warrants was based upon the fact that the five had 'showed willingness' to return to Spain, albeit their intention in doing so was to vote and stand in the regional elections in a bid to forge ahead with the illegal independence bid.

And getting Europe, including Belgium, involved in the case would leave investigations partly outside Spain's control and jurisdiction.

Puigdemont and the four ministers left for Belgium a month ago after the now-ex president's unilateral declaration of independence (UDI) was declared illegal and he knew he would face arrest and possible imprisonment.

Upon hearing of the European arrest warrant, they gave themselves up to Belgian police, but said they would fight extradition as they did not believe they would receive a fair trial in Spain.

As a result of judge Llarena's move, Belgium no longer has to make a decision on extradition.

At present, the 'Catalunya five' are free, having been released from custody in Brussels pending further inquiries and subject to their handing in their passports and not attempting to leave the country.

Another six former ministers from Catalunya were freed yesterday (Monday) although two more, including Puigdemont's deputy Oriol Junqueras, remain behind bars.

Speaking of his intention to run again for president from Belgium, Puigdemont says Catalunya now faces a choice between regional rule or 'dark characters in Madrid', and between 'nation or submission'.

In total, 13 leaders in Catalunya were fired by Spain's central government when it activated Article 155 of the national Constitution, bringing the region under State control.

Of these, 12 plan to stand for election on December 21, and campaigning has now begun.

Polls seem to show that the pro-secession parties would lose their majority in the election, but only just.