German prosecutor requests Puigdemont’s extradition

The prosecutor in the German area of Schleswig-Holstein has requested Carles Puigdemont’s extradition in the regional high court, which will now have to decide whether or not to accept Spain’s European Arrest Warrant for the deposed Catalan president.

The prosecutor argues that Puigdemont should be extradited to Spain for high treason and misuse of public funds, two crimes recognized in the German criminal code. In Spain, he faces charges of rebellion and misuse of public funds for his role in Catalonia’s independence bid, which carry prison sentences of up to 40 years.

The attorney general also requested the pro-independence leader remain in custody while a final decision on his extradition is made, which might take up to three months. Again, a judge at the Schleswig-Holstein high court will have the last say on the precautionary measures imposed on Puigdemont.

Puigdemont left Catalonia last October

The deposed Catalan president has been behind bars since he was detained by the German authorities on March 25, while on his way back to Belgium after a trip to Finland.

Puigdemont left Catalonia last October when he and his cabinet were dismissed by the Spanish government following a declaration of independence. He left the country alleging that he would not be able to get a fair trial Spain.

A wave of protests and public attention

Puigdemont’s detention sparked a wave of protests in Catalonia, as well as a lot of public attention. On Sunday, two MPs for the German left-wing Die Linke party visited him in the Neumünster prison and offered him permanent residence in the country.

In an audio message recorded during the visit, Puigdemont accused Spain of acting in an increasingly “authoritarian” way and of reducing “fundamental rights.” He also asked citizens to keep protesting “in a non-violent, civilized manner” as they have “always done.”