ANSA news agency reported that Judge Plina Azina stressed that the arrest was lawful based on a European arrest warrant issued by Spain. The public prosecutor sees no need for detention.
Therefore, the judge did not order imprisonment or house arrest. It remains to be clarified whether Puigdemont can be transferred to Spain. Until then, he was not allowed to leave the Mediterranean island. Spain has already failed several times in other European Union countries with attempts to transfer the separatist political.
He fled to Brussels after being sacked as a result of the illegal independence referendum in October 2017. Puigdemont has been accused by Spain of rebellion over the illegal vote.
Puigdemont’s lawyer, Gonzalo Bui, reported that his client is in good shape and has confidence in the independence of the Italian judiciary. Sardinian separatists gathered in front of the Palace of Justice in Sassari on Friday to demonstrate against the arrest of Puigdemont. A placard read: “Freedom to political prisoners in Catalonia.”
Hundreds of protesters also gathered in front of the Italian consulate in Barcelona. According to Spanish media, they waved the Catalan flag and demanded the release of the separatist, who is already living in Belgium.
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