German court releases Catalan ex-leader Carles Puigdemont on bail

Berlin, April 6: German court has ruled that former Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont can be released on bail pending a decision on his extradition to Spain. It said most serious charge Puigdemont faces is not punishable under German law.

The state court in Schleswig said the 55-year-old ex-president of Spain's Catalonia region could leave a prison in northern Germany with a 75,000-euro payment. It was not immediately clear when Puigdemont would be released.

Puigdemont was detained in Germany on a Spanish arrest warrant as he attempted to drive from Finland to Belgium on March 25. Spain's former Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont was arrested on the entry of Germany from Denmark. German police spokesperson had confirmed that he was arrested on a European warrant. According to local media, Puigdemont was apparently considering applying for asylum in Germany.

Spanish authorities accuse Puigdemont of rebellion and misuse of public funds in organizing an unauthorized referendum last year on the region's secession.

He has been a fugitive since Catalonia's failed bid to become independent from Spain last October. The Spanish Supreme Court on Friday issued fresh arrest warrants against Puigdemont and some other individuals behind the independence bid.