Carles Puigdemont

Greenland, Faroe Islands tricky models

Copenhagen - Emiratesvoice

Sacked Catalan president Carles Puigdemont, in Copenhagen to muster international support for an independent Catalonia, has cited Denmark's autonomous territories Greenland and the Faroe Islands as models for a peaceful bid for independence. But the model may be difficult to export, experts say. "It's not easy I know but you're proof that it's possible," Puigdemont said Monday during a seminar onRead more

Separatism, unity or deadlock? What's next

Madrid - Emiratesvoice

Catalan voters will decide Thursday whether to return the separatists to power or to bring in a pro-unity government, as their region's independence crisis nears its moment of truth. Here are the possible outcomes of the December 21 regional vote: - A pro-unity revolt? - Ciudadanos, a centrist anti-independence party formed in 2006, could win, with its charismatic 36-year-old candidateRead more

Over 10,000 Catalan protesters in Brussels

Brussels - AFP

Belgian police said more than 10,000 Catalan protesters gathered in Brussels on Thursday to show support for deposed regional president Carles Puigdemont and to seek EU support. "There are many more than 10,000," a police spokeswoman told AFP as the demonstrators prepared to march past the headquarters of the European UnionRead more

Spain drops European arrest warrant for sacked Catalan leader

Madrid - Emirates Voice

Spain has withdrawn the European arrest warrant for Catalonia's sacked leader Carles Puigdemont and four of his former ministers, who fled to Belgium after the regional parliament declared unilateral independence, the Supreme Court said Tuesday. In a statement, the court said Judge Pablo Llarena, in charge of the case, decided to withdraw the warrant as the five have said they want to comeRead more

Spain drops European arrest warrant for sacked Catalan leader

Madrid - AFP

Polls must 'ratify' Catalonia's desire for independence

Oostkamp - AFP

Catalonia's deposed leader Carles Puigdemont Saturday launched his campaign for regional elections by calling on Catalans to make known their desire for independence. "We Catalans demonstrated to the world that we have the capacity and the will to become an independent state. And on (December) 21, we must ratify this," he said in Oostkamp in Belgium, where he fled toRead more

Polls must 'ratify' Catalonia's desire for independence

Oostkamp - Emirates Voice

Belgian prosecutors ask court to extradite Catalan ex-leader

Brussels - Emirates Voice

Belgian prosecutors on Friday asked a judge to extradite axed Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont to Spain to face charges of rebellion and sedition over his region's independence drive, his lawyers said. "The prosecutors asked for the execution of the European arrest warrant" issued by Madrid, lawyer Christophe Marchand told reporters after a closed-door hearing in Brussels. The defence willRead more

Catalan ex-leader arrives for Belgian extradition hearing

Brussels - Emirates Voice

Axed Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont arrived at a Belgian court Friday for a hearing on Spain's bid to have him extradited to face charges of rebellion and sedition over his region's independence drive. One of his aides told reporters he had arrived at the Palace of Justice in Brussels for the start of what could be a long legalRead more