Spain's state prosecutor has requested a European arrest warrant for ousted Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont and four others over their role in a disputed independence referendum, BBC reported.
Spain's prosecutors call for Catalan’s leader’s arrest
STEPANAKERT, NOVEMBER 3, ARTSAKHPRESS: According to the source, all five failed to show up at Spain's high court on accusations of rebellion, sedition and misuse of public funds.
Mr Puigdemont's lawyer said the climate was "not good" for him to appear.
Nine other sacked members of Catalonia's regional government did turn up for questioning at the court.
Prosecutors in Madrid asked for eight of them to be held in custody following their testimony.
Spain has been gripped by a constitutional crisis since the referendum was held on 1 October in defiance of a constitutional court ruling that had declared it illegal.
Last week, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy imposed direct rule on Catalonia, dissolving the regional parliament and calling local elections for 21 December. This came after Catalan lawmakers voted to declare the independence of the affluent north-eastern region.
