Possibility of Arrest Warrant for Ousted Catalonia President

Following the absence of Carles Puigdemont, the ousted president of Catalonia, from a court session held on Thursday, November 2, in Spain, a senior judge stated that an arrest warrant for him will likely be issued across Europe. The Attorney General of Spain had on Monday, October 30, accused Mr. Puigdemont of rebellion and separatism due to the holding of a Catalonia independence referendum on October 1, which is considered unconstitutional. Mr. Puigdemont, who is currently in Belgium, stated on Wednesday, November 1, that he would not return to Spain despite a court order to respond to charges of "rebellion, rioting, and misuse of public office." Court sessions for Carles Puigdemont and 13 other members of the ousted Catalonia local government were scheduled for Thursday and Friday. Carles Puigdemont's lawyer in Belgium, Paul Bekert, told Reuters that the situation in Spain is "not favorable" and his client wants to "distance himself" from it, although this does not prevent Mr. Puigdemont from cooperating with the courts in Spain and Belgium. He stated on Tuesday, October 31, that he would only return to the country if the Spanish government provided him with necessary guarantees. The President of the Supreme Court, Carlos Lesmes, who also heads the General Council of the Judiciary, told Reuters: "In Spain or other EU countries, failing to appear in court despite a judge's summons to testify usually leads to the issuance of a prosecution order." The issuance of this warrant would prevent Carles Puigdemont from participating in the local elections in Catalonia scheduled for December 21. Last Friday, Mariano Rajoy, the Prime Minister of Spain, dismissed Mr. Puigdemont and his government members from their positions. The Spanish Supreme Court simultaneously summoned five senior local representatives of Catalonia along with the President of the Parliament of the region, Carme Forcadell, to appear in court on Thursday, November 9. Currently, the court has requested that the Catalan separatist leaders deposit 6.2 million euros by Friday to cover fines and potential damages to the court. Spanish courts and prosecutors have requested that leaders, both for and against Catalonia's independence from Madrid, who encouraged hundreds of thousands of demonstrators to take to the streets of Barcelona, be prosecuted. In this context, the ousted president of the Catalonia government will not return to Spain for court appearances. Jahanbakhlu: A harsh response to the Catalonia crisis will have catastrophic consequences. The ousted leader of Catalonia accepted the holding of elections in the region. The central Spanish government took control of the Catalonia region. Hundreds of thousands demonstrated in Barcelona in support of the unity of Spain. The Prime Minister of Spain dissolved the Catalonia government; elections are scheduled for December. The declaration of independence of Catalonia; the Spanish Senate approved Madrid's direct rule over the region.