Catalonian president refuses extradition, Spain accuses him of terrorism

The dismissed Catalonian leader Carles Puigdemont has until Thursday morning to respond to a call by the Spanish Supreme Court.

If he fails, he can submit an arrest warrant that would exclude him from the race in early regional elections, reports “Deutsche Welle”, Periscopi broadcast.

The People's Party, which leads the government of Spain, declared through its spokesman that if Puigdemont fails to appear in Madrid on Thursday, “there will probably be a petition for extradition where Belgian police will arrest him”.

Puigdemont and five of his colleagues were dismissed Monday after charges were uncovered against them. Some of his cabinet members are expected to appear in court, but Puigdemont said he will remain in exile in Brussels.

Spain's State Prosecutor on Monday pressed charges of rebellion, uprising and misuse of public funds against Puigdemont and former members of his government for holding a banned referendum on secession on October 1st and then unilateral declaration of independence.

Puigdemont, and 12 other former members of the Catalonian government face prison sentences potentially ten years if they are sentenced.

Puigdemont's Belgian lawyer said Wednesday he was seeking to question his client in Belgium instead of travelling to Madrid.

He's not going to Madrid and I suggested they ask him in Belgium”, attorney Paul Bekaert told The Associated Press. He said such an arrangement was possible, but he did not know whether the Spanish authorities would accept the offer.

Puigdemont said on Tuesday he would return to Spain when giving “gart” undesigned by the Spanish government.

If an arrest warrant was issued, it could take 60 days to extradite Puigdemont to Spain, lawyers said.. /Periscopi/