Belgian judge pushes back warrant for ex-Catalan leader

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Another hearing, another delayed outcome.

On Monday, the court case to determine if Belgium would execute an EU Arrest Warrant issued by Spain for the ousted Catalan President Carles Puigdemont and four ministers resumed at the Palais de Justice in Brussels.

But no decision came – the judge decided to push the verdict back to December 14.

The case has dragged on.

The five fled to Brussels at the end of October, after Spain’s Attorney General Jose Manuel Maza filed rebellion, embezzlement and sedition charges against them, following the Catalan government’s declaration of independence from Spain.

Spain's Attorney General Jose Manuel Maza delivers a statement at State Prosecutor office in Madrid, Spain, October 30, 2017. /Reuters Photo

They appeared before a Belgian court on November 17.

But the extradition ruling was pushed back to December 4 so that adequate time could be given to both sides to clarify their arguments.

During Monday's court session, Puigdemont's defense lawyers argued that the five are being unduly prosecuted by Spain.

Not only would their human rights be affected should they be sent back to Spain, but also that the charges they are accused of are not punishable under Belgian law, the defense team said.

Sacked Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont speaks flanked by former Catalan ministers Clara Ponsati (L) and Meritxell Borras during a news conference at the Press Club Brussels Europe in Brussels, October 31, 2017. /Reuters Photo

But even if a decision to extradite finally comes on December 14, it’s likely that lawyers representing the five would appeal.

Dragging this Spanish political saga that has spilled over into Belgium possibly well into the New Year.

But, back in Spain, a judge set six of the incarcerated members of the sacked Catalan government free, hours before the Catalan regional elections campaign got officially underway.

Bail was though denied for Carles Puigdemont's deputy Oriol Junqueras and Catalan ex-Interior Minister Joaquim Forn.