CARLES Puigdemont has arrived back in Brussels – to taunts from a group of Spaniards.
The former Catalan president was taken into custody in Sardinia on a European arrest warrant issued by Spain over the 2017 Catalan indyref last week.
A judge then released him and said he would hear the case next month, when Puigdemont could appear virtually – although he has said he intends to be there in person.
He was in the Catalan-speaking city of Alghero for a Catalan cultural festival, but was taunted by the Spaniards when he arrived in Brussels, where they shouted: “Long live Spain – in prison ... the Catalan countries don’t exist.”
Writing on Twitter, Puigdemont said: “When we arrived in Brussels, a group of Spaniards began to shout like energumens [possessed beings], probably a little angry at the ridiculousness of their country.
“Just the opposite of the Spanish couple who sat next to me on the flight from Alghero to Rome. They wished me good luck.”
READ MORE: Carles Puigdemont free to leave Sardinia but must attend court virtually
Over the past four years, Spain’s Supreme Court has made numerous efforts to have Puigdemont and his former ministers, such as Clara Ponsati and Toni Comin, extradited to face charges over the indyref, but so far all have failed.
Earlier at a news conference the former president thanked Spain for the “invaluable help” they had given the indy movement by generating international publicity for it.
He said: “I encourage them to continue doing it because we are doing well. This is an operation instigated by the Spanish government ... no doubt.”
Puigdemont said his arrest was a form of “persecution”, adding: “The events of the previous days prove all of our arguments, our reasons in our fight for freedom and democracy to defend the right to self-determination, the right to free speech, free movement, the right to engage in politics.
“We are right to demand to the European Court of Justice to defend our rights.
“We will never give up this fight and I will continue travelling around Europe explaining.”
He was stripped of his immunity as an MEP earlier this year, then had it restored before being removed again in a provisional decision by the European Court of Justice.
Given the events in Sardinia, his legal team are hoping to have that immunity returned once again.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel