Catalan leader flees to Brussels as he faces 30yrs jail for ‘rebellion’

Deposed Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont fled to Belgium today as Spanish prosecutors called for him to be charged with "rebellion" and jailed for up to 30 years.

It comes two days after Mr Puigdemont appeared to say he refuses to be sacked and would fight on for independence as the Madrid government tried to impose direct rule on the breakaway region.

The ousted regional president had vowed to turn up for work as usual despite the threat of arrest, and earlier today posted an Instagram photo of what appeared to be the Catalan government offices in Barcelona.

But officials later confirmed he was in Brussels amid speculation he would claim political asylum.

Five other ministers in the sacked Catalan government were reported to have travelled with him.

Aides said they went to meet Flemish nationalist politicians, who support Catalonia's independence goal.

Spain's PM Mariano Rajoy sacked Mr Puigdemont and dissolved the regional assembly on Friday as he sought to resolve the country's greatest crisis for 40 years.

He was using sweeping new powers approved by the Senate to halt the tide of the secessionist movement.

The decision sparked violence in the streets in Barcelona and huge protests attended by millions over the weekend.

Nazi-saluting fascists clashed with baton-wielding police in Barcelona – while a pro-union demo descended into violence in Madrid on Sunday.

Tensions were ratcheted up on Monday as attorney general José Manuel Maza said the Catalan leaders should be charged with sedition, rebellion, provocation and misuse of funds.

Belgium is one of the few EU member states where citizens of other EU countries can claim political asylum.

Migration minister Theo Francken - whose Flemish separatist N-VA party wants to split the country in two - said on Sunday it was “not unrealistic” Brussels would grant protection.

He said: “Catalan people who feel politically threatened can ask for asylum in Belgium. That includes President Puigdemont. This is 100 per cent legal.”

But he was slapped down by Belgian PM Charles Michel who said an asylum request from Puigdemont was "absolutely not on the agenda".

Mr Puigdemont, 54, insisted the result of a referendum on October 1 gave him a mandate to declare independence, but Madrid said the ballot was illegal.

The EU and world leaders including Theresa May have backed the Spanish government in the Catalan independence dispute.

Today Mr Puigdemont's PDeCAT party confirmed it will stand in fresh regional elections on December 21.

Spokeswoman Marta Pascal said: "We will go to the polls. We will go with conviction and with a commitment to letting the Catalan people express themselves."

The Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC) party of deposed vice-president Oriol Junqueras said it would participate in some fashion - "be it standing or not" - despite judging the poll "illegitimate" having been called by Madrid.

ERC spokesman Sergi Sabria said: "Catalans do not fear the ballot box and December 21 should be another opportunity to consolidate the republic."

He added: "Our republic does not for the moment fully have the capacity to impose itself as we would wish -- but it is up to us to defend it."

Separatist parties have dominated the Catalan parliament since the last election in 2015, holding 72 seats out of 135.

But an opinion poll for El Mundo said pro-independence parties would lose their majority with 42.5 per cent of votes if elections were held now.

Source: The Sun