AFP :
The sacked leader of Catalonia Carles Puigdemont claimed Tuesday that he fled to Belgium because Spain was preparing a “wave of oppression and violence” against his separatist movement.
Puigdemont, whose government declared independence from Spain last month and was then dismissed by Madrid, is in Belgium facing extradition on charges of rebellion and sedition.
“I’m absolutely convinced that the Spanish state was preparing a harsh wave of repression and violence for which we would have all been held responsible,” he told Catalan radio.
He said he and four former ministers were representing Catalonia’s “government in exile” in Belgium, where several of his ousted cabinet members travelled last week in a bid to garner international support for his independence drive.
The sacked leader of Catalonia Carles Puigdemont claimed Tuesday that he fled to Belgium because Spain was preparing a “wave of oppression and violence” against his separatist movement.
Puigdemont, whose government declared independence from Spain last month and was then dismissed by Madrid, is in Belgium facing extradition on charges of rebellion and sedition.
“I’m absolutely convinced that the Spanish state was preparing a harsh wave of repression and violence for which we would have all been held responsible,” he told Catalan radio.
He said he and four former ministers were representing Catalonia’s “government in exile” in Belgium, where several of his ousted cabinet members travelled last week in a bid to garner international support for his independence drive.
