Puigdemont to participate in person at Copenhagen conference

Catalan president Carles Puigdemont is to participate in person at a University of Copenhagen conference next Monday. It will be the first time that Puigdemont officially leaves Belgium since he arrived in the country on October 30, days after being dismissed by the Spanish government, following a declaration of independence.

According to the university website, Puigdemont will comment on the “current political situation in Catalonia and its challenges in the European context.” The debate is organized by the Department of Political Sciences and moderated by professor and department head Mikkel Vedby Rasmussen. The professors Marlene Wind and Christian F. Rosboll will also join the debate.

The title of the conference is “Catalonia and Europe at a Crossroads for Democracy? Debate with Carles Puigdemont”. It will take place between 2 and 4pm at the Centre for Health and Society, entrance from Gammeltofsgade, building 35, room 35.01.44. Although the university does not require signing up for the event, it advises arriving well in advance, in order to secure a seat.

Last December, the Spanish Supreme Court withdrew the European Arrest Warrant against Puigdemont and his ministers, over concerns that the Belgian justice criteria may interfere with the judicial process against pro-independence leaders in Spain. Since then, Puigdemont and his ministers have been free to leave Belgium whenever they want. Currently, they still face charges in Spain carrying up to 30 years in prison, and were they to come back, they would immediately be arrested.