Image caption Prof Ponsatí returned to St Andrews University after fleeing Spain

A former Catalan minister who fled Spain to return to Scotland is preparing to hand herself in to police. A former member of Catalonia's regional government is preparing to hand herself in to police in Scotland after a European arrest warrant was issued, the force has said. A police statement said: "We have made a number of enquiries to try to trace her and have now been contacted by her solicitor, who is making arrangements for Ms Ponsati to hand herself into police." Police Scotland are seeking to arrest a former Catalan minister who returned to work at St Andrews University after fleeing Spai

Clara Ponsatí was the education minister in the Catalan government when it declared independence from Spain last October following an unofficial referendum. Ms Ponsati fled to Brussels with former leader Carles Puigdemont, then returned to the University of St Andrews where she had previously worked. A Spanish judge issued arrest warrants on Friday for Ms Ponsati and other fugitive politicians including Catalonia's ex-leader Carles Puigdemont, who has now been detained by German police. The exiled Catalan President Carles Puigdemont has already been arrested in Germany as the fallout continues from Catalonia’s declaration of independence from Spain last year. Scotland's first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, said she supported the right of the Catalan people to determine their own future but the Scottish authorities were obliged to follow due process and ministers were not permitted to intervene. The SNP Government has voiced its sympathy with its “sister” Catalan independence movement

Ms Sturgeon said: “It is well established that the Scottish Government supports the right of the people of Catalonia to determine their own future and that we strongly oppose the Spanish Government’s decision to seek the arrest and imprisonment of independence supporting politicians. READ MORE: Facebook: The brand that thumbed its nose at democracy

“The fact that our justice system is legally obliged to follow due process in the determination of extradition requests does not change those views.”

Under the Extradition Act 2003, Scottish Ministers have no role in the determination of European Arrest Warrants. Madrid took direct control of Catalonia and sacked all officials following the independence referendum in October last year in Catalan which had been banned by the Spanish state. A spokesman for the university said: "We're aware that a warrant has been issued, we're staying in close touch with Clara and will continue to monitor developments very carefully."
Fugitive ex-minister Clara Ponsatí i Obiols says she will hand herself over to Police Scotland, who have received a copy of the European Arrest Warrant for her.