Sunday, March 25, 2018

Germany Nabs Former Catalan Head Puigdemont; Thousands Protest in Barcelona against His Arrest

Former Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont was detained in Germany today (March 25, 2018), five months after entering self-imposed exile from Spain, where he faces up to 25 years in prison for organizing an illegal secession referendum last year, according to the Reuters website.

Puigdemont had entered Germany from Denmark after leaving Finland on March 23 when it appeared that police would arrest him there and begin an extradition process requested by Spain.

The detention threatens to worsen the Catalan crisis that flared last year when the region made a symbolic declaration of independence, prompting Madrid to take direct rule.

Tens of thousands of Catalans -- many of them wearing yellow in support of jailed separatist leaders -- demonstrated in Barcelona this afternoon, chanting "Puigdemont, our prersident" and "freedom for political prisoners."

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