Spain issues international warrant for former Catalonia president

This court ruling came just a day after the decision to detain eight members of the Catalonia Parliament, who had voted in favour of declaring unilateral independence last week.

This has been Spain's deepest political crisis in the past four decades, while the Spanish judge's decision to arrest the former Catalonian Freedom warrant came in response to prosecutors' demands.

Following Spain's decision of dismissal, Puigdemont, along with a part of his ministers, had gone to Brussels. Following the illegal decision to declare unilateral independence, he had left his office by the Spanish authorities.

The Belgian lawyer of the dismissed Catalonian leader said his client would fight against extradition to Spain, without seeking political asylum.

He was called to appear before the National Court of Spain on Thursday to bear witness regarding the charges of rebellion against him, but he had not been submitted.

He had declared that he would return to Spain only if offered assurances that the court he faces would be fair.

/Periscopi