Puigdemont a no-show as nine former deputies attend court

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Spain's prosecutors on Thursday have asked for eight ousted members of Catalonia's regional government to be jailed over their role in controversial independence referendum.

Nine former officials have turned up in Madrid on Thursdays, while the other five including Puigdemont have traveled to Belgium and refused the summon.

Santi Vila, Catalonia's former business minister who resigned before Friday's unilateral independence declaration, is expected to be granted a bail of 50,000 euros.

In response to Puigdemont's absence, Spain’s Supreme Court said that Madrid would issue an arrest warrant for him.

"When someone doesn't appear after being cited by a judge to testify, in Spain or any other EU country, normally an arrest warrant is issued," Supreme Court President Carlos Lesmes said.

Members of the dismissed Catalan regional government arrive at court in Madrid, Spain November 2, 2017 / Reuters Photo

Puigdemont, who has been in Belgium since Monday, refused to return to Spain for questioning.

His lawyer told Reuters on Thursday that,"the climate is not good, it is better to take some distance."

Also on Thursday, Spain's Supreme Court said the hearing of former Catalan lawmakers has been adjourned and postponed to November 9 at the request of lawyers.

Puigdemont, along with other 13 other former leaders, were summoned to court in Madrid on Thursday, facing charges including sedition and rebellion which could see sentences of up to 15 and 30 years in jail respectively.

(With input from agencies)

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