Spanish court won’t seek extradition of Catalan leader in Switzerland

The Spanish Supreme Court will not issue an international arrest warrant for Anna Gabriel, a Catalan leader seeking refuge in Switzerland, thus temporarily abstaining from starting an extradition process whose success was far from assured.

Judge Pablo Llarena ordered the arrest of Gabriel if she returns to the country. Although she was summoned to appear in court on Wednesday, she did not attend the hearing alleging that the Spanish justice would not offer her a fair trial. She faces criminal charges that carry up to 30 years in prison for her role in Catalonia’s independence bid.

Earlier in the day, Spain’s attorney general requested Llarena pursue the extradition of Gabriel. The judge, though, decided to dismiss the prosecutor’s petition.

Folco Galli, a spokesperson for the Swiss government, said that the country would not extradite or provide any legal assistance if the offenses for which Gabriel was being prosecuted were deemed to be political. And according to Galli, this is exactly what media reports suggest.