Ex-Catalan chief seeking immunity for leadership vote

BARCELONA: Former president of Spain’s Catalonia region has requested the parliament of the semi-autonomous territory to grant him immunity against an arrest warrant so that he can attend a session in which he could be reinstated as head of the regional government.

Carles Puigdemont, who fled to Belgium following a controversial declaration of independence for Catalonia last year, asked Catalonia’s parliament on Monday to guarantee his position as a member of the chamber so that he could avoid arrest over charges of rebellion and sedition.

Spain’s Constitutional Court has ruled that Puigdemont, who won back his seat in the December 21 general elections, must get court permission to attend the Tuesday session of Catalonia’s parliament.

His lawyer said it was unlikely for Puigdemont to seek that permission. However, reports suggested he would take part in the session which the Constitutional Court has said would not be valid if the fugitive leader attends without the permit.