Three deposed Catalan ministers released in Belgium

Toni Comín, Meritxell Serret and Lluís Puig are free while the court decides on their extradition request

From left to right, deposed Catalan ministers Lluís Puig, Clara Ponsatí, Meritxell Serret and Toni Comín in Brussels on December 7 2017 (by Blanca Blay)
From left to right, deposed Catalan ministers Lluís Puig, Clara Ponsatí, Meritxell Serret and Toni Comín in Brussels on December 7 2017 (by Blanca Blay) / ACN

ACN | Brussels

April 5, 2018 09:32 PM

A Belgian judge decided on Thursday to release on bail three deposed Catalan ministers wanted by Spain over alleged crimes of rebellion, sedition and misuse of public funds. Toni Comín, Meritxell Serret and Lluís Puig are free while the court decides whether or not to extradite them to Spain. They will just have to be available at any point that the Belgian justice requires them to be, not leave Belgium, and have a permanent residence in the country.

The Belgian judge's decision means that all members of the sacked Catalan government wanted by Spain have been released on bail by European courts. Also today, a German court decided that Carles Puigdemont can leave the Neumünster prison where he was being held in custody since March 26, after he was detained in the country. Last week, deposed minister Clara Ponsatí was also released by a Scottish court while her case is being considered.