Council Chamber’s decision on Puigdemont and his Ministers to be rendered on 14 December

Monday, 04 December 2017 20:58
Council Chamber’s decision on Puigdemont and his Ministers to be rendered on 14 December © Belga
Brussels Council Chamber’s decision concerning the Catalonia leader Carles Puigdemont and four of his former Ministers will be rendered on 14 December, the defendants’ lawyers announced at the end of the hearing Monday morning.
They claim that the charges held against their clients are not punishable in Belgium, and what’s more, an extradition would constitute a violation of their fundamental rights.

After more than three hours since the beginning of the audience before the Council Chamber, the five defendants’ lawyers appeared on the steps of the Brussels Courthouse.

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The prosecution repeated their requisition in favor of extradition as at the first audience, Mr. Marchand, who represents two ex-ministers, reported.

For their part, the defense attorneys pleaded that the allegations held against the defendants were not punishable in Belgium. “What’s more, if they are extradited, there would be a risk of violating their fundamental rights,” Mr. Marchand and Bekaert, with their Spanish counterpart, stipulated. They made no further comment.

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The Judge will now look into their arguments. The case has been reserved for judgment. The Council Chamber’s decision will be known on 14 December, that is a week before Catalonia elections.

Maria Novak
The Brussels Times
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