Three deposed ministers in Brussels court over extradition case

Three deposed Catalan ministers currently fighting extradition from Belgium are appearing in a Brussels court today. Toni Comín, Meritxell Serret and Lluís Puig are wanted by Spain over their role on the October 1 referendum and subsequent declaration of independence. Comín is accused of violent rebellion and misuse of public funds, while Serret and Puig are wanted for the lesser charge of disobedience and misuse of funds. Their lawyers said that they hope today will bring "good news" for the deposed ministers.

In today's hearing, the prosecutor is expected to announce whether it presses charges and for what crimes. The Brussels prosecution has to confirm which crimes of the Belgian criminal code could equate to rebellion, disobedience and misuse of funds.

The judge will have to later announce the date of his decision. It turns out that the judge of the case is the same that took over the extradition request in November. Last time, the Spanish Supreme Court withdrawn the European Arrest Warrant before the judge had time to make public his sentence.