Puigdemont will remain in Belgium for the time being

barcelona - Carles Puigdemont will follow the Catalan elections of 21 December from a distance. The deposed government leader of Catalonia remains, like the four ministers who accompany him, provisionally in Brussels where he is in custody.

That is what his lawyer Jaume Alonso-Cuevillas has said on the regional Catalan radio station RAC1. He expects to appeal immediately if justice in Belgium on Monday decides to hand over the five politicians to Spain.

'Whatever happens, they will certainly stay in Brussels until December 21 and I even think until mid-January. I am convinced that there will be appeal and cassation to prevent Belgium from sending them back to Spain, 'says Alonso-Cuevillas.