Catalans protest against detention of eight regional ministers

EU refuses to get involved in arrest warrant

FE Team | Published: November 03, 2017 23:38:34

MADRID: Seven of the eight former Catalan ministers appeared in court together. — Reuters

BARCELONA, Nov 03 (Agencies): Thousands of Catalans have protested against the detention of eight regional ministers sacked over Catalonia's push for independence from Spain.
The officials - who appeared in Spain's high court - are accused of rebellion, sedition and misuse of public funds.
Prosecutors are also seeking a European Arrest Warrant for ousted Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont, who did not show up in court and is now in Belgium.
The request also covers four other ex-ministers who ignored the summons.
Spain has been gripped by a constitutional crisis since a referendum on independence from Spain was held in Catalonia on 1 October in defiance of a constitutional court ruling that had declared it illegal.
Last week, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy imposed direct rule on Catalonia, dissolving the regional parliament and calling local elections for 21 December.
.Meanwhile, the EU on Friday refused to intervene over the European arrest warrant Spain is set to issue for Catalonia's deposed leader Carles Puigdemont, currently holed up in Belgium, saying it was a matter for the courts.
A Spanish judge is expected to issue the warrant demanding Belgium return Puigdemont, who is wanted for questioning over alleged sedition, rebellion and misuse of public funds in relation to his region's independence drive.
Catalan efforts to make the crisis an international issue have so far failed, and the European Union has been steadfast in its support for Madrid throughout, insisting it is an internal matter for Spain.