Sacked Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont surrenders to police

Sacked and self exiled former Catalonia separatist leader Carles Puigdemont and four of his former ministers turned themselves in to Belgian police after Spain issued a warrant for their arrest.

They were deprived of their liberty at 9.17am (local time), the Belgian prosecutor’s office said.

The five were due to appear later on Sunday before a judge who can decide whether to detain them or release them with conditions.

Puigdemont and his allies fled to Belgium on Monday last week after Spain dismissed the Catalan leader and imposed direct rule on Madrid following the regional parliament’s declaration of independence.

Spain issued a warrant for their arrest on Friday after they failed to appear before a judge over alleged sedition, rebellion and misuse of public funds.

A Madrid judge had on Thursday put Puigdemont’s deputy and seven other sacked regional ministers behind bars because of fear that they would flee.