Ousted Catalan leader in Brussels to apply for political asylum: media

Ousted Catalonian president Carles Puigdemont, as well as five of his advisers, is in Belgium, amidst speculation he could apply for political asylum, local media reported on Monday.


After first confirming Puigdemont's presence in Brussels for a private meeting with the N-VA, the Flemish nationalist and conservative party, the Belgian media relayed the information from Belgian Vice-prime minister Jan Jambon that Puigdemont had not been invited by the N-VA and that nothing had been organized in any way for this.

According to Spanish newspapers, however, Puigdemont is in Belgium to apply for political asylum.

Spain's Attorney-General Jose Manuel Maza announced on Monday morning that Puigdemont was being sued because of his unilateral declaration of independence last Friday. The sacked president is being prosecuted for rebellion as well as sedition and misuse of public funds. He could face up to 30 years in prison.

The application for political asylum has not yet been confirmed by local media and Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel has not given any comment.

For the Spanish government, the application for political asylum is "a pure sign of despair", local Belgian newspaper La Libre reported.
 [Xinhua/globaltimes.cn]
 31/10/17