Spain is reducing ‘fundamental rights’, says Puigdemont in audio message from prison

Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont said on Sunday that Spain is acting in an increasingly “authoritarian” way and is reducing “fundamental rights”. In an audio message recorded by a German politician that visited him in prison and obtained by Catalan radio, Puigdemont urged citizens to “go ahead” while keeping their protests and demonstrations “peaceful”.

“The message that all of us should have clear is that we need to go ahead. We are defending our rights, recognized by the United Nations,” he said in the recording. Puigdemont said that Catalans “cannot lower their guard” because, in his view, Spain is acting “in an increasingly authoritarian way and is reducing fundamental rights.”

He asked citizens to keep protesting “in a non-violent, civilized manner” as they have “always” done”.

The audio message is the first one since Puigdemont was detained in Germany a week ago. German MP Diether Dehm visited him in jail. After the visit, he urged for his release and criticized Spain for not trying to reach “compromises” to solve the Catalan crisis. The German politician, from the Die Linke party, also said that Puigdemont fears an extradition to Spain because, where he thinks his rights may be violated.

In a previous message on his Twitter account, managed by his team, Puigdemont refereed to the October 1 referendum. “Six months after the Oct 1, members of the Catalan government are political prisoners, but our spirits are free,” he said. The Catalan leader said that on referendum day Catalans, acting peacefully, proved their “dignity” in face of “police brutality”.