NEUMUENSTER, Germany | The Latest: German govt won't intervene in Puigdemont case
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NEUMUENSTER, Germany | The Latest: German govt won't intervene in Puigdemont case
NEUMUENSTER, Germany |April 6, 2018 (AP)(STL.News) The Latest on the Catalonia crisis (all times local):
1:15 p.m.
The German government isn’t commenting on a court decision to release former Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont on bail, stressing that the case is in the hands of the judiciary.
A state court in Schleswig ruled Thursday that Puigdemont can go free on bail pending a decision on whether to extradite him to Spain, and decided that he can’t be extradited on the most serious charge Spain levels against him.
German government spokeswoman Ulrike Demmer said Friday that the question of any intervention by the government in Berlin “doesn’t arise.” She stressed that “the proceedings are in the judiciary’s hands.”
Demmer reiterated the German government’s position that the conflict over Catalonia’s future “must be resolved within the Spanish legal and constitutional order,” supporting the Spanish government’s stance.
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12:10 p.m.
German prosecutors say they have ordered the immediate release of ex-Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont after he posted 75,000 euros ($92,000) bail.
The Schleswig prosecutors office said Friday that Puigdemont also provided authorities with an address in Germany where he will reside pending a decision in his extradition case.
The 55-year-old was detained March 25 after crossing the border from Denmark. Spain is seeking his extradition for rebellion and misuse of public funds in organizing an unauthorized referendum last year on Catalonia’s independence from Spain.
The state court in Schleswig ruled Thursday that Puigdemont can’t be extradited for rebellion because the equivalent German law presumes the use or threat of force sufficient to bend the will of authorities. He can still be extradited on misuse of funds charges.
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11:15 a.m.
Lawyers for Carles Puigdemont have arrived at the German prison where the former Catalan leader has been held for the past two weeks.
Puigdemont is expected to be released on bail Friday pending extradition proceedings, once he posts a 75,000-euro ($92,000) payment.
The 55-year-old was detained March 25 after crossing the border from Denmark. Spain had issued a European arrest warrant seeking his arrest and extradition.
Madrid accuses Puigdemont of rebellion and misuse of public funds in organizing an unauthorized referendum last year on Catalonia’s independence from Spain.
The state court in Schleswig ruled Thursday that Puigdemont can’t be extradited for rebellion because the equivalent German law presumes the use or threat of force sufficient to bend the will of authorities. He can still be extradited on misuse of funds charges.
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By Associated Press – published on STL.News by St. Louis Media, LLC (Z.S)
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