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Ousted Catalan Leader in Brussels as Spanish Prosecutors Seek Charges

by VOA News

   Ousted Catalonia leader Carles Puigdemont is expected to make a public
   appearance Tuesday in Brussels, a day after he traveled there while
   Spanish prosecutors announced plans to seek sedition, rebellion and
   embezzlement charges against Catalan leaders.

   Belgian lawyer Paul Bekaert told VRT television Monday Puigdemont was
   in Brussels and had appointed him as his lawyer.

   "He is not in Belgium to specifically ask for political asylum. That is
   not decided yet," Bekaert said.

   Watch: Catalan leaders flee to Belgium

   Chief prosecutor Jose Manuel Maza said Monday he would seek to charge
   the leaders of Catalonia who led a push to secede from Spain. It is up
   to a court to decide whether to move forward with the charges, which
   could bring lengthy jail terms, including up to 30 years for rebellion.

   Catalonia held a referendum October 1 on the question of whether the
   autonomous region should break away from Spain. The government in
   Madrid rejected the secession push, and after Catalan lawmakers
   declared independence last week, the central government asserted
   control over the region and dissolved the local parliament.

   New elections are set for December, and Catalonia's separatist party
   announced it would field candidates.