“Flight risk” Puigdemont to remain in German prison

Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont is a "flight risk" and that's why a judge in Germany decided he should stay in prison while they decide on his possible extradition back to Spain. The Spanish Supreme Court wants is prosecuting Puigdemont for rebellion and misuse of public funds, for what he could face up to 40 years in prison.

After testifying for about three hours in a court room in Neumünster, a judge decided Puigdemont should stay behind bars while his case is assessed. The judge ruled that the Catalan leaders has "incentives" to flee to Belgium, where he was actually going to when he was detained by German police.

The magistrate considers that Puigdemont could have there a "more favorable" extradition process and would, for that reason, try to go back to the country where he has been residing since the declaration of independence. Now the extradition request has to be transferred to a higher court that will have to formally consider the arguments for and against the transfer back to Spain.