Thirteen Catalan separatist politicians, including fugitive president Carles Puigdemont, have been charged with rebellion for their attempt to declare independence from Spain. Thirteen separatist politicians from the region have also been charged with the same and could face up to 30 years in prison under Spanish laws. Supreme Court Judge Pablo Llarena issued the indictment on Friday, wrapping up a four-month long investigation into the events last autumn. Puigdemont, who lives in self-imposed exile in Belgium, has been visiting Finland since Thursday for talks with lawmakers and had been due to leave on Saturday afternoon. Finnish police said Saturday they were seeking to arrest Catalonia’s former president Carles Puigdemont under a European arrest warrant issued by Spain, but did not know his whereabouts. Also charged with rebellion are Catalan vice president Oriol Junqueras, former Catalan parliament speaker Carme Forcadell, separatist activists Jordi Sanchez and Jordi Cuixart and ERC party leader Marta Rovira, who on Friday announced that she was fleeing Spain.
Judge Llarena reactivates the European Arrest Warrants against Carles Puigdemont, Marta Rovira, and four fugitive ex-members of dismissed regional government.