Spain questions whether Belgium can try judge in charge of independence case

Spain believes Belgium may not have the authority to try a Spanish judge, leading the Supreme Court judge's defense to ask a Brussels court to decide whether it can go ahead with the case open there.

Catalan exiled leaders, led by former president Carles Puigdemont, filed a lawsuit before Belgian authorities against judge Pablo Llarena, over doubts about their chance of getting a "fair trial" and their "presumption of innocence."

The hearing, held on Tuesday after being postponed earlier in September, ended with the Brussels court deciding that three judges will take charge of the case.

The next step now is for the court to rule on the defense's request that it decide whether it is competent to try judge Llarena. Both sides will have their written say and a decision on the matter might take "six weeks," according to the defense.

Yet the lawyers of the Catalan politicians believe the decision might take longer in coming.